Mixed emotions for Somerset's Jos Buttler after England promotion
Jos Buttler says there are no hard feelings between himself and Craig Kieswetter after being promoted to England’s One-Day International side at the expense of his Somerset club-mate.
Wedmore’s Buttler was selected as wicketkeeper ahead of Kieswetter for England’s Twenty20 series in India before Christmas, and also replaced his county colleague as for the final two ODI fixtures last week.
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Jos Buttler
Buttler has also been named in England’s limited-overs squads for next month’s tour of New Zealand, while Kieswetter has missed out on selection altogether.
Although appearing to have replaced his friend and team-mate as the country’s first-choice behind the stumps in limited-overs cricket, Buttler insists the pair are still on good terms.
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“It is a bit tricky, because Craig and I are good friends and have been for a number of years. I actually made my Somerset debut because Craig was away with England,” said Buttler, who is firmly a back-up gloveman behind Kieswetter for Somerset.
“I don’t think this will change that. This is the world of professional sport and there’s only 11 spaces in the England side that a lot of people want.
“My opportunity has come from the demise of a friend and that’s not ideal, when your mate misses out, but it’s a huge opportunity for me and one that I want to take.”
The 22-year-old knows he has to plenty of work to do behind the stumps if to keep hold of his place but has already seen an improvement after working with England wicketkeeping coach Bruce French during the winter.
“My keeping is still a work in progress, but I think that will improve as time goes on, especially with the amount of work I’m putting into it,” said Buttler.
“I came into the squad in place of Jonathan Trott, so I thought batting was the way I would come into the side.
“I didn’t really see wicketkeeping coming, but I’ve been working hard on it before Christmas and also on this trip with Bruce French. It’s something I think I’m developing and something I think can become a strength of mine.”
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