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Buttler better for IPL, Ponting experience

England keeper-batsman targeting Test recall after valuable season with Mumbai Indians

England limited-overs star Jos Buttler says some valuable lessons learned in the Indian Premier League and from Australian legend Ricky Ponting have him well placed for another shot at Test cricket.

Buttler last played the five-day game against Pakistan last October, but a series of disappointing showings led to his axing from the England team ahead of their tour of South Africa.

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The Lancashire Lightning keeper-batsman made a rapid 56 not out from 29 balls in his side's defeat to Notts in the UK T20 domestic competition overnight, but he believes the information available in the IPL – where he played under head coach Ponting at Mumbai Indians – can be transferred to the Test format as well.

"The IPL was fantastic – everything you would hope and expect it to be and then more on top," he told the Mirror. "The amount of talent in the dressing room, the coaches – I loved working with Ricky Ponting, such an impressive guy and with so much knowledge and passion for the game.

"And the cricket is just brilliant. Going through that experience should really stand you in good stead for international cricket.

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"There was so much information, it was a honeypot of information, but the thing '’ve learned is it's about how you use it.

"It's up to you to filter it so you don't get confused. It reinforces that you are your own best coach and you have to look after yourself as a player.

"Once I organise all those thoughts in my head and play well then I feel I can become a Test player."

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Ponting earned widespread praise as a mentor in his first season in charge at Mumbai in 2015, when his team came from last place to win the tournament.

And while 2016 didn't go according to plan – Indians finished in fifth place – Buttler took full advantage of his coach's faith, playing in all 14 matches as one of the club's internationals.

Incumbent England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow is one of the country's form players presently, however with the questionable form of Nick Compton, and James Vince still to establish himself, the middle order is by far from settled.

"I feel like I've got all the attributes to play Test cricket and it's now up to me to put them in order and understand the way I want to play and really commit to it and trust myself," added Buttler, who has played 15 Tests after debuting in July 2014.

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"I think through my one-day performances and potential I was picked to play Test cricket the first time.

"Now I think it is down to myself to demand to play Tests through performance.

"I want to be one of those players who, through performance, really bangs the door down and can't be ignored."