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Jos Buttler has expressed his aim to return England
white-ball cricket to its former glory days, claiming that he is personally
accountable for “shaping the next period” of the category’s
development.
Speaking at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua
following England’s second day of training in a row, Buttler first took stock
of the past two challenging months before showcasing the talent and excitement
at the commencement of a “new beginning”.
“There’s some really exciting talent in this
team,” Butter said. “Young guys eager to get their opportunities and
perform. There’s some guys that have not been exposed to ODI cricket a lot, but
have a lot of experience in Test cricket, so not necessarily new to the
international game. It’s a nice blend.”
Fast bowler John Turner stood out in especially during
training, as he delivered a devastating burst of bouncers to Buttler and Harry
Brook in an impressive display of top-notch fast bowling. Turner isn’t in the
competition right now to start in the opening ODI, but Buttler expressed his
satisfaction at facing 30 minutes of bouncers from England’s newest fast on the
block.
“It was good. It’s what I want him to do,”
Buttler said of the battle between the two. “There are some exciting seam
bowlers, guys with good pace, some good athletes and it’s a nice time to look
forward to, give guys an opportunity and see what they have got.”
Reece Topley is another one of those seamers; he
joined the team to help heal from a broken finger he got during the World Cup
and to get ready for the T20I series the following week. Topley is not
mentioned as being available for the ODI series.
As for the balance of the bowling arsenal that will
line up on what looks to be a track that might spin profusely, Buttler kept his
cards close to his breast. He also revealed that Phil Salt and Will Jacks will
open the batting on Sunday. Richard Dawson, the England coach and a former Test
offspinner, bowled throughout session, once managing to get the ball to rip
back through Brook’s gate and clean-bowl the IPL millionaire.