Jos Buttler’s perspective on England’s approach to the Men’s 50-over World Cup is clear: they are not looking to defend their title but to win it anew. Despite being the defending champions, Buttler is keen to emphasize that the focus is on the present and the future, not dwelling on past achievements. He wants the team to have a forward-looking, attacking mentality rather than adopting a defensive stance.
Buttler’s stance might be influenced by the fact that he has only been captain for a relatively short time, having taken up the role last year. His emphasis on positivity and attacking play was evident in the series win over New Zealand, where the team displayed dominant performances.
The language matters to Buttler, and he expresses a dislike for the term “defending champions.” He wants the team to be motivated and driven to attack, creating something new rather than holding onto past glory. The idea of “defending” may imply a more conservative or cautious approach, which Buttler seems to want to avoid.
While acknowledging the significance of being reigning champions, Buttler believes that it’s essential to move beyond that and focus on creating a new chapter of success. The mindset he promotes is one of hunger and determination to succeed again rather than simply holding on to the past achievements. Buttler’s leadership style appears to be centered on fostering a positive and forward-thinking environment within the team.
Jos Buttler’s appreciation for World Cups, especially in the ODIs, is deeply rooted, surpassing even the traditional importance English players often place on Test cricket and the Ashes. He recalls being in the stands during the 1999 World Cup and witnessing the final four years later while on vacation in South Africa, memories that have stayed with him. The history and legacy of the tournament hold immense value for Buttler, and the prospect of playing in an ODI World Cup, especially in a cricket-centric country like India, excites him.
Despite England’s mixed results in the ODI format during this World Cup cycle and their fifth position in the rankings, Buttler remains confident about their chances. He downplays the significance of the rankings, expressing strong belief in the team and suggesting that opponents wouldn’t relish facing England.
Even though England achieved the remarkable feat of becoming double world champions by winning in Australia last year, holding both the ODI and T20 World Cups simultaneously, Buttler emphasizes that the hunger for success remains. He states that the team is excited for the new challenge, asserting their dreamer mentality.
Buttler relishes the position of being part of a team with high expectations, highlighting that they have some of the best players in the world. He sees it as a privilege for an English sports team to have fans expecting them to do well, expressing the team’s commitment to giving their best for the supporters back home and those who travel to witness the tournament.
However, Buttler’s aversion to the term “defending champions” is evident once again. Despite the team’s hunger for success and the fans’ expectations, he prefers not to frame their pursuit of another title as defending what they already have. It reflects his forward-thinking and positive approach as the team sets out on a new World Cup campaign.
