All the teams have geared up for the upcoming ICC World Cup where England is one of the favourites alongside India and Australia. England batsman Jos Buttler has been in a formidable form for the last couple of months. He has taken the world cricket by storm in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) and is expected to keep this form in the upcoming mega event and it will be a huge threat to the opposition. However, he thinks India captain Virat Kohli will be one of the key players in the tournament. While speaking to IANS, he also shared the experience of spending time with former Australia captain Steve Smith during the IPL while playing for Rajasthan Royals.
“Both obviously amazing batters, I first time saw Steve up so close this IPL, it was a great experience to watch him go about his practice and his work ethics. As for Virat, we all know what a fantastic player he is and has been. He is probably the ‘form batsman’ for the last 12 months in the world. Two fantastic players, very different styles, but both very impressive,” he said.
However, he thinks Ben Stokes will play an important role for the team in the mega event.
“Ben is the biggest key player really for England. He balances the side brilliantly in the way he can bat and bowl and has a great influence on the whole team. He is one of the best all-rounders in the world and I am looking forward to him showing that with some quality performances in the World Cup,” he pointed.
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He further said that playing for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL has changed a lot of his career.
“It has been an incredible year personally. I think last year when I started with the Royals, I was doing okay, but I wasn’t quite feeling like I was showing exactly what I was capable of and a change to the top of the order coincided with a great run of form and from there I was very lucky to be involved with England in Test match cricket and had a really enjoyable summer. Have been riding that wave ever since and looking to make it continue and last as long as possible,” he expressed.
“I think it is good to be favourites as that shows that you have been doing some really good stuff leading into the tournament. But it doesn’t really count for much when you get into the tournament. We just have to stick to what we have been doing and what has worked well for us. If we see around the world, every side has got some dangerous players and say for example we came up against an in-form Chris Gayle in the West Indies and a player like him can make life extremely tough for whoever you are. We just have to trust ourselves and take one game at a time,” he explained.
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However, the big event will take place from May 30 where the host will face South Africa in Kennington Oval, London.
“It is obviously a huge thing and as a side we have been planning and building for it for a number of years. With it being in England, it is hugely exciting for English cricket and I feel very lucky to be a part of it. Very excited about it,” he said.
