As he returns to the No. 6 position for England's Champions Trophy opener against Australia, Jos Buttler has stated that he is really confident in his own form. After Jamie Smith was asked to start the game at number three, Buttler was demoted to the position. The 34-year-old has played in the position 75 times, scoring 2182 runs, hitting 4 hundred, and hitting 12 fifties, so he is no stranger to the position.
Jos Buttler on batting at number 6
Before the game against Australia, Buttler stated that he thinks ODI is his best format and that he has been striking the ball effectively lately. The England captain acknowledged that there is always the possibility of switching up the team based on the circumstances of the game and expressed excitement and optimism about going back to No. 6.
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"Yeah, I think, to be honest, I feel very confident in my own form. I feel like I've been hitting the ball really well and over time ODI’s have always been my best format. I feel excited, optimistic and I think one thing with all the line-ups - you can always move around, dependent on the game. So yeah looking forward to it," said Buttler.
Buttler on Smith
Buttler commented that Smith's move to No. 3 allows the young player a free pass to influence the game. Smith is unfazed by the task at hand, the England captain continued, adding that he may ask him to bat anywhere in the lineup.
"Yeah, we just feel it's a nice position for him to give him a sort of free hit to try and really impact the game, make that top three really dynamic. Jamie's someone with incredible talent and has taken to international cricket so well that we feel he's got the game there and can place him in that position to try and have a really big impact with a number of guys behind him," said Buttler.
"He's obviously got the game technically and tactically, but I think the head on his shoulders seems to be one of the biggest strengths. Nothing seems to faze him too much. I think you could ask him to bat anywhere in the line-up and it wouldn't faze him. We feel it gives him a nice position to try and really impact the game, make some big runs, and put some pressure on the opposition," he added
Australia and England will clash against each other at the Gadaffi stadium in Lahore on February 22.