Former England captain Jos Buttler has opened up about his cricketing journey, admitting that while he found massive success in limited-overs formats, his Test career left him feeling “unfulfilled.” Speaking on the BBC Test Match Special Podcast, the wicketkeeper-batter offered an honest reflection on his time in red-ball cricket, contrasting it with his identity and confidence in white-ball formats.
Buttler, who led England to T20 World Cup glory in 2022 and played a crucial role in their historic 2019 ODI World Cup triumph, has long been celebrated for his explosive style and game-changing ability in shorter formats. However, his Test career—spanning 57 matches—didn’t deliver the same satisfaction or clarity.
“I was probably never entirely comfortable with my identity as a Test cricketer,” Buttler admitted. “That’s down to me. I had brilliant support—Joe Root was an amazing captain—but I never quite worked out how I was going to play in that format.”
Found Rhythm in 2018 But Couldn’t Sustain It
Buttler recalled a period during the 2018 Test series against India when he felt most at ease. Coming off a strong season in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with the Rajasthan Royals, he was recalled to the Test side and slotted in as a specialist batter at No. 7—a rare position for a non-allrounder.
“I felt very in control of my game then. It felt like a free hit, and I was comfortable in how I was playing,” he said. “But I couldn’t keep that up for long. I think I battled myself too much mentally.”
He explained that the approach he used in white-ball cricket—assertive, aggressive, and confident—never fully translated to Tests.
“In one-day cricket, I always try to dominate the bowler. In Tests, I was too reactive. I didn’t know how to impose myself. But I love Test cricket—it’s the hardest exam in the game. If you crack it, it’s the most fulfilling format.”
Despite stepping away from Test cricket, Buttler made it clear that he still misses the format and wishes things had turned out differently.
2023 ODI World Cup: A Captaincy Setback
After replacing Eoin Morgan as England’s white-ball captain, Buttler was expected to lead the team into a new era. However, the 2023 ODI World Cup proved to be a disaster. England performed far below expectations, and the campaign left a deep mark on Buttler as a leader.
“It was incredibly difficult. We played way worse than I thought we ever could,” he said. “It was a huge confidence shock to my captaincy.”
Following the disappointing tournament, Buttler stepped down from the ODI captaincy, acknowledging the toll it took on him personally and professionally.
