Jos Buttler wants the England team to salvage their bruised pride and banish memories of their 50-over title defense at next month’s T20 World Cup.
Just over six months ago, Buttler’s side were two-time world champions but surrendered the ODI crown with a whimper as they lost six of their nine group stage games in India.
Now they will look to prove they are still a force to be reckoned with in the shorter format as they look to retain the trophy they won in Melbourne in 2022.
The four-match series against beaten finalists Pakistan begins at Headingley on Wednesday before traveling to Barbados for the main event where Buttler hopes to get England back to their best form.
Reflecting on the impact of his last difficult tournament, he said: “It wasn’t any extra pressure, but my ego was definitely damaged and it was a really disappointing competition.
“But life goes on. It’s a chapter in a book and there are lessons to be learned, but now we have new opportunities in a different format.
“We want to go to the West Indies and give a better account of ourselves. “It’s an honor to be able to go to the World Cup again as the defending champion, but it also feels like a new time.”
Buttler was a key voice in England’s decision to withdraw all members of their squad from the Indian Premier League to prepare as a team rather than succumb to market pressure for the knockout stages of the franchise giants.
And while he was clear about his position, he suggested that managers should hedge against future competition.
“As England captain, my number one priority is to play for England,” he said. “It’s really important that we spend this time together.
“I think the best preparation for the World Cup is to play for England first. But my personal opinion is that there should be no international cricket clashing with the IPL. This game has been on the calendar for a long time.”
Two players from England’s 15-man squad are unavailable for the Leeds opener, with Liam Livingston and Mark Wood both suffering knee problems.
Of the two, Wood is considered the less serious and was seen performing running drills during Tuesday’s final practice.
His temporary absence is lessened by the return of Jofra Archer, who will make his first England appearance for 14 months and wear the shirt at home for the first time since September 2020.
The highly-rated paceman’s return is sure to excite fans and team-mates alike, but Buttler attempted a more sober tone.
“We all know what a superstar he was, but let’s manage those expectations,” he said. “Don’t expect too much, too soon.
“If he can get through this series with a big smile on his face and a big smile on his face, it will be a huge success.”
There are question marks over Butler’s own availability in the coming days, with his wife Louise soon expecting the couple’s third child. The experienced Moeen Ali takes the reins when needed.
“My family comes first. I’m going to give birth,” Butler said. “I don’t think they really tell us when they’re coming, but we’ve made a plan and I think everything will work out.
“Mo has been a great leader for his team for a long time, whether as captain or not. He has tremendous honesty, which I think is his great strength. He also does it with humor, which means he can start difficult conversations without offending people.
“He is a very classy person and is not too caught up in the ups and downs of international sport. “He is a very reliable friend to me.”
