“It is my hope and ambition to turn into someone who is talked about as a Test cricketer as quickly as I can”
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Following his superb maiden ODI century against Sri Lanka during the fourth ODI at Lord’s, England wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler has admitted that he is “not ready for Test match cricket”.
However, Buttler noted that his long-term goal was to become England’s Test keeper.
But, he may get the chance to prove himself wrong during the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka since regular keeper Matt Prior is struggling to recover from an Achilles injury.
“I haven’t discussed it with the management or Alastair,” Buttler said. “(But) I am not ready for Test match cricket.
“It is a pretty easy assumption to make, looking at my game and where I am as a player. That is my honest opinion, and that is the opinion of others.”
Buttler pointed out that his first-class batting average has to improve before he can consider becoming Prior’s successor.
“It is my hope and ambition to turn into someone who is talked about as a Test cricketer as quickly as I can,” he said. “I average 32 in first-class cricket – and if I wasn’t playing one-day cricket, I would not be at the forefront of anyone’s mind with an average like that.
“My glovework needs to improve too, to be a Test match cricketer.”
The 23-year-old also revealed that he decided to move to Lancashire from Somerset since it would enable him to be a full-time wicketkeeper.
“I made the change to Lancashire to improve my wicketkeeping, and do it full time,” he said. “You have to remember it takes time. You can’t be a finished article at 23.
“You want to accelerate your development, but you want to be realistic as well.
“I am getting better. This is probably the best start I have had to a first-class season. I am starting to learn my method in four-day cricket.
“Certain guys are earmarked to play Test cricket – and based on someone’s opinion, they think they can do it.
“It would be great if that was the case for me but…I have so many areas to improve at a fast rate. It is down to me to do that.”