Lesson learnt as the Buttler does it

To those outside of English cricket it must have been perplexing to see how long Jos Buttler had to wait for his second chance as a Test player.

Even those on the inside were left wondering what one of the world’s most destructive limited-overs batsman was doing sitting on the sidelines for more than a year.

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However Buttler, in just his second match back, proved just what England had been missing with a contribution of quality that helped his side post what should be a highly-competitive first-innings 400 against India in this fourth Test.

Buttler’s 76 – his sixth Test half-century - on the second day of this match was justification for those who had argued a lack of first-class cricket should not be held against a player whose natural talents are so obvious.

The 26-year-old had played just one first-class match in between being dropped for the final Test of England’s series against Pakistan in the UAE last November and his return for the Third Test against India in Mohali last month.

Buttler argued that the break from long-form cricket has actually helped him, saying: "I don’t feel like it mattered to me at all. Probably the best thing for me is having not played any red-ball cricket for a year, and having some time to think about my game.

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"We play so much cricket that sometimes there isn’t enough time to think, break down your game and work out what is vital to me to get the best out of myself.

"I feel like the last year I’ve probably learned the most about myself and about cricket in my whole career."

The difference between limited-overs and Test cricket is huge and there is no doubt Buttler’s first incarnation as a Test cricketer was hampered by the extra burden he carried as a wicketkeeper.

Losing that responsibility – Jonny Bairstow is now England’s Test keeper – has allowed Buttler to concentrate on his batting.

Yet the transition from keeper to specialist batsman is a big one to make, even for a player of Buttler’s ability.

Trevor Bayliss, England’s Australian coach, first floated the idea in a selection meeting before the series against Pakistan midway through the last northern summer.

Bayliss, though, was ignored as the selectors instead opted to go for what they thought was the more reliable option of Gary Ballance.

If that decision smacked of conservatism then the fact it was persisted with into England’s winter – Ballance again retained his place for the two-Test series against Bangladesh – meant Buttler appeared unlikely to be given an opportunity before the English summer.

"I always thought I’d get a chance," he said. "But whether it would be as soon as this, I wasn’t sure.

"I was fully aware and probably expecting not to play a game in Bangladesh or here in India. Then when you do play, it’s quite a nice feeling.

"It’s very pleasing and really satisfying to get runs when you feel like the team needs them."

Buttler’s return is good news for England, whatever the result of this match and the series.

It is hoped he can continue to improve in Test cricket. If he can, then it will offer England’s already-powerful middle order even more punch.

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