NEWS
Follow UsUnder-fire England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler says that he still has the desire to continue playing Test cricket, despite not being in the best of forms in the longest format in the recent past, which includes an underwhelming performance in the Ashes.
Australia have taken an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match Test series. Their loss at MCG was England's 12th loss in their last 13 Tests in Australia. Buttler, who has been a terrific player for England in ODIs and T20Is says that his ambition to be a multi-format player still remains intact despite the demands when it comes to travelling with a young family.
"It's certainly my ambition," Buttler said from Sydney, where England are preparing for the fourth Ashes Test.
"I don't think I'd have put as much into it as I have done if it wasn't.
"I have fantastic family support - they're very supportive of me and my career, and make a lot of sacrifices for that. That's one thing that gives you a lot of motivation and drive to try to make it all worth it. It's certainly maintained my drive and ambition to try and play."
Buttler's comments come after South Africa wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, 29, announced his retirement from Tests to be around his young family.
While Buttler says he is disappointed to see him retire, but at the same time, has applauded him for making such a big decision. "That's Quinton's own personal situation, but as a fan of cricket and a huge fan of his, I'm disappointed that he's at that stage," said 31-year-old Buttler.
"I love watching him bat, keep wicket and play Test cricket. The world of cricket will miss him in that format. But I guess commend him for making a decision that's right for him."
Not just his batting, but Buttler has had a mixed series behind the wickets as well. He took a stunner to dismiss Marcus Harris in Adelaide but dropped a few more to hand Australia the initiative. Buttler put up an excellent fight in Adelaide, giving England hopes of drawing the game with his 207-ball 26 before he was hit-wicket.
In Melbourne, Buttler holed out in the deep of Nathan Lyon just before tea in the first innings to show positive intent but admits he did not execute well. "In hindsight, just before a tea break is obviously a poor time to get out, but I wanted to be attacking and positive in that innings," Buttler said of his dismissal to Lyon in Melbourne.
"Mid-on and mid-off were up. I saw that as an opportunity to score, I didn't execute that. That's all it is.
"It's a very lonely place dropping a catch," Buttler, who hopes to be part of the Test squad for the West Indies series, added
"It's one of the worst feelings in cricket, letting down your mates. It doesn't just hurt you, it hurts the whole team. You've certainly got to be able to be very strong with your character to try to come through that. Especially when you're wicketkeeping, there's nowhere to hide."
England will look to salvage some in the Ashes, starting with the fourth Test in Sydney, starting Tuesday (January 4).