Jos getting started - Buttler eyes improvements with the gloves on

By Harry Kemble in India Saturday, January 26, 2013
7:38 AM

England’s Jos Buttler admits his wicket keeping is “a work in progress” after he replaced Craig Kieswetter in the One-Day International side in India.

As with many wicketkeepers in the modern game, the 22-year-old is primarily a batsman who keeps for his county Somerset – where Kieswetter is still number one.

The youngster concedes he did not anticipate being selected in place of Kieswetter, whose recent poor batting form cost him his place for the Mohali ODI.

“My keeping is still a work in progress, but I think that will improve as time goes on, especially with the amount of work I’m putting into it,” he said.

Buttler, who has been practicing hard with England keeping coach Bruce French to improve his glovework, says he was called up in place of rested batsman Jonathan Trott, leading him to believe his role was as a batter.

“I came into the squad in place of Jonathan Trott so I thought batting was the way I would come into the side,” he said.

“I didn’t really see wicketkeeping coming, but I’ve been working hard on it before Christmas and also on this trip with Bruce French.

“It’s something I think I’m developing and something I think can become a strength of mine.”

However, the only part of his ODI rise he regrets is that it came at the expense of colleague and friend Kieswetter.

“It is a bit tricky, because Craig and I are good friends and have been for a number of years. I actually made my Somerset debut because Craig was away with England.” he said.

“I don’t think this will change that; this is the world of professional sport and there’s only 11 spaces in the England side that a lot of people want.

“My opportunity has come from the demise of a friend and that’s not ideal, when your mate misses out, but it’s a huge opportunity for me and one that I want to take.”