Jos Buttler looks ahead to facing West Indies plus his and England's challenges beyond
It is a mark of Jos Buttler’s standing in England’s limited-overs sides that, aged 23, he is talking of giving advice to new members of the national squad.
The wicketkeeper-batsman has established himself in the shorter formats, thanks to 24 one-day international and 28 Twenty20 international caps, and also has an eye on the Test gloves.
Given the likes of uncapped trio Moeen Ali, Harry Gurney and Stephen Parry are currently in the Caribbean with England, who play a University of West Indies Vice Chancellor's XI in Antigua today, Buttler is happy to pass on his knowledge.
“It is new and there are some guys that don’t have the experiences that other people have, and that can work in both ways,” he said.
“Obviously there’s so much excitement around the group with new faces and new ideas as well, talking to different people, so I think it’s a really exciting time.
“I’ve played a little bit now. I think I’ve had some really good experiences in my international career that I’ve leant from a lot. So if I can pass on any knowledge like that, which is obviously fresh, and things like that to the guys coming in then great.
“And obviously as a wicketkeeper it’s your role in the field to drive that, and that’s something I think I’ve grown into better as well now I’ve played a few more games.”
Buttler, who has switched from Somerset to Lancashire over the winter, is keeping his focus on the games with West Indies and the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh that follows.
However, he knows that strong showings in both and a good start to the county season could lead to Test honours. If that comes, he hopes he is ready for the longest format.
“I don’t know that you’d know exactly until you actually play Test match cricket and I think I’ve made some really good improvements in my game over the last six to 12 months,” he added.
“Hopefully I can keep on doing that further into this tour and then into the summer.”