Back in 2015, he smashed his bat in anger after being sent off as England were knocked out of the World Cup by 50 overs in the group stage following a 15-run defeat by Bangladesh at the Adelaide Oval.
Four years later, he smashed the edges to run out New Zealand’s Martin Guptill as England won the 50-over World Cup by a “wider margin” on a memorable afternoon at Lord’s.
Now, in 2022, he is leading a team looking to become the first in men’s cricket to hold both the 50 and 20 World Cups simultaneously. They beat Pakistan at the MCG and that distinction is theirs.
Sunday November 13 7:00 am
“It would make a huge difference. We have to get through a really tough game first, but it would complete the turnaround in English white-ball cricket,” Buttler told Sky Sports on the eve of the final.
“As captain, I’m reaping the rewards of everything that has gone before to get us to this point. If it was to come to fruition and we had both trophies at the same time, it would have felt close to impossible to leave Adelaide after that game in Bangladesh.
The atmosphere coming back after the press conference was like someone had died, that’s how bad it was. The silence was deafening, you couldn’t find the right words to speak to anyone. It had the atmosphere of a funeral, however low, certainly in my career. Eoin Morgan in the loss to Bangladesh in the 2015 World Cup
“I remember breaking a bat in the locker room. I don’t often get angry when I go out, but this was one of those times. It was a complete letdown at the end of a really tough tournament.”
“Morgan gave the players a safety net to express themselves”
After the crash of 2015, change came. Not of the captain, with then-skipper Eoin Morgan continuing, but of the mentality, with Morgan given permission to mold a team that played aggressively and without fear. The turnaround in results was instant, with England beating New Zealand 3-2 in the next ODI series and winning 408-9 in the first match. Buttler contributed 129 of those runs from just 77 deliveries. The recovery in results has also been continuous, with England reaching the final of the 2016 T20 World Cup, the semi-finals of the 2017 Champions Trophy, winning the 2019 50-over World Cup and making the last four of the 2021 T20 World Cup. He also topped the rankings in both white ball formats. A fallen side had turned into a flourishing one, so how did Morgan do it? Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player England captain Josh Buttler says he ‘definitely had a few dreams’ of winning T20 World Cup title “There was a clarity of thought and consistent messaging,” Butler said. “It was an un-English style, I would say, but we had the right staff in the room asking to fail in a certain way – if you were going to fail. “The consistency of selection allowed people to fail. After you got out the captain would say ‘good luck, hit the other one next time’ or ‘you’re still my man, you play the next five or six games without injury’. That gave giving people a safety net to express themselves. “Playing first against a New Zealand side that wanted to be super aggressive under Brendon McCullum was the perfect team to play against. We had success and it sowed the seeds that we can enjoy playing like that and win games by doing this. “ Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Buttler smashes Indian opener Mohammed Shami for six to book England’s place in T20 World Cup final
Buttler: I had to remember that I am one of the 11
Winning matches was not something the England team did during the 2022 home summer. While their red-ball counterparts have been rejuvenated under coach McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, the limited-overs side, now under Buttler’s command following Morgan’s international retirement at the end of June, have failed to win a series even in the 50- over not even in 20. – forms of overs. Out of their 11 completed matches against India and South Africa, there were four wins and seven losses. But those lean runs seem to have been just a fluke. A 4-3 series win in Pakistan followed, in which Buttler captained the side with a calf injury preventing him from playing, and now England are in the T20 World Cup final. Sure, there have been scares – a loss to Ireland, a nervy chase against Sri Lanka – but a 10-wicket destruction of India has them one win away from history. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player England have been boosted by the return of their fastest bowler Mark Wood to training at the MCG on the eve of the T20 World Cup final How does Buttler reflect on his journey as captain so far? “In the summer I felt I had to go above and beyond to manage everything, to think about everything. The games came thick and fast, it was very busy and I probably lost some of my preparation. “I had to remember that I’m one of the 11, that I have an important role to play with bat and gloves. “I don’t have to do anyone else’s work. We have a fantastic support staff and it was realizing that they are also responsible for their part, which gives me a bit more time to myself. “I also liked the unique point of view in Pakistan, taking more interest in our own team and bringing in younger players. It was precious. “I learned more about the role, about trying not to force things, trusting my gut and intuition. You get a sense of what is needed and what message you want to convey to people. “Also, we don’t do this all the time. Some players don’t have the armband, but you watch them and they lead the team, they lead discussions, they lead training sessions. “That takes the pressure off of always thinking, ‘What am I going to say?’ Do I have to walk a certain way?” Image: Buttler on Moeen Ali: “That level of trust with him is huge. It gives you authenticity and honesty in abundance”
“Moeen gives you honesty and authenticity in abundance”
One of those players is Moeen Ali, who led England on the field in Pakistan and was noticeably adjusting the pitch against India on Thursday without having to consult Buttler. Buttler said: “That level of trust with Moeen is huge. He’s probably the person I look to the most as vice-captain. “He captained the team in Pakistan brilliantly and he gives you authenticity and honesty in abundance. Whoever you are, you know what you will get from him. He will be clear and direct. “I think it’s great to trust other guys and let them make decisions. I have full faith in him making adjustments and talking to the bowlers.” Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Watch highlights from England’s stunning 10-wicket win over India in the T20 World Cup semi-final at the Adelaide Oval Moeen watched Buttler and Alex Hales nail the Indian bowlers for a combined 23 boundaries in Adelaide on Thursday as England reached a target of 169 with 24 balls to spare. It was a day on which Hales burst out in more ways than one, having treated himself to a round of golf in the morning before smashing the cricket ball in the evening. “I think he shot a one-out, which is probably the highlight of his season!” Butler said. “It’s about allowing yourself to not think, ‘I’ve got a big game tonight, there’s nothing else I can do.’ It’s about doing what makes you comfortable and not adding extra pressure.”
“To come here and not enjoy it would be pointless”
There is likely to be a bit of pressure on England as they prepare for Sunday’s match at the MCG. Considered the favourites, they are looking to ensure they retain both white ball trophies. But Buttler urged his side to enjoy the occasion. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Michael Atherton believes England are favorites to win the T20 World Cup – but says Pakistan are ‘very dangerous’ as they look to repeat their 1992 triumph at the MCG “I have great memories of that 2019 final being in the middle with Ben Stokes and all that noise. We shared a moment of ‘how good is this?’ You never want it to end. “Then it hits home and you realize that’s why you do everything, because I had all these dreams as a kid, because you work so hard. “So many people have sacrificed for you, so there would be no point in coming here and not enjoying it. “The feelings will be incredibly different [whether we win or lose] but whatever happens, it’s an honor to have the opportunity to play in a final.” Watch England vs Pakistan in the T20 World Cup final live on Sky Sports Cricket on Sunday. The rally starts at 7am ahead of the 8am kick-off in Melbourne…
