England v India 2014: Jos Buttler called up as injury cover for Matt Prior
Jos Buttler has been included in the England squad for the 1st Investec Test against India as a precautionary measure after regular wicket-keeper Matt Prior complained of slight stiffness in his right thigh.
Despite calls for Buttler to be included in the XI for the recently concluded Test series against Sri Lanka, Prior, who had endured a disastrous Ashes in the winter both with the bat and the gloves and was dropped midway through the series, was given the nod ahead.
Captain Alastair Cook being a staunch supporter of the Sussex wicketkeeper-batsman has made sure that his spot in the team has remained safe, so far.
His performances in the Test series against Sri Lanka, though, were moderate at best, and Buttler’s inclusion now, albeit as cover for him, might put some extra pressure on him to not only be fit for the 1st Test but to also start performing.
Buttler’s growth as an international cricketer in the last 12 months has been tremendous, and he seems ready, if given the opportunity, to play Test cricket. He notched up his first ODI century against Sri Lanka at Lord’s earlier in the summer and is also constantly improving his wicket-keeping.
Buttler, however, maintains that he has a lot to improve on and doesn’t want to look beyond having a good Championship season with Lancashire for the time being.
The 23-year-old said: “The move to Lancashire has been going okay for me and given me the opportunity to develop my wicketkeeping a bit faster than before. But I have to be realistic. It is my first season keeping as a first choice keeper in red ball cricket and I have to remember that and not get frustrated that I'm not quite doing it as well as I would like to yet.
“I'm probably batting as well as I have in the Championship. I am a bit older and more experienced, I have matured as a person over the winter and it is going really well. I'm starting to learn my game a bit better but there is plenty of room for improvement.”