“In parts of the world like this, you get lots of net bowlers and lots of facilities – so what a great place to try things”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

With the World Cup set to begin in just over two months, England wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler is on a mission to enhance his skills with both the bat and keeping gloves.

Buttler’s comments come after he smashed a match-winning 55 against Sri Lanka in the third ODI in Hambantota to reduce his side’s deficit to 2-1 in the seven-match series.

“I always want to keep looking to develop and get better,” Buttler said ahead of the fourth ODI in Colombo. “In this four-month period, I can really focus on skills. In parts of the world like this, you get lots of net bowlers and lots of facilities – so what a great place to try things.

“If it is the scoop shot, I want to be hitting that 10 times out of 10 – or reverse sweep, consistently. If someone misses their yorker I want to hit it for six. The best players in the world do that – people like (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni.

“The margin for error against him is so minimal, because if you miss he punishes you. That’s the level everyone aspires to get to.”

Buttler once again reiterated that he is eager to improve on his skills behind the stumps as well.

“I’ve got loads of areas I want to do better on my wicket-keeping,” he said. “It’s down to me to keep working on that really hard.

“In one-day cricket, you don’t touch the ball too many times. It might just be a chance.

“A four-month period of one-day cricket is really good for my wicket-keeping, so I’m always aware that the time I’m going to get the ball is generally going to be a chance.”