Harry Brook Backs Jos Buttler Amidst T20 World Cup Form Struggles

England captain Harry Brook has publicly backed teammate Jos Buttler despite the experienced batter’s recent struggles with form in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Brook’s support comes after Buttler recorded his fifth consecutive single-figure score in Friday’s Super 8 victory over New Zealand in Colombo.

Buttler’s Recent Performance

Buttler has managed just 62 runs in seven innings at the tournament, with five of those resulting in scores of less than ten. He was dismissed for a second-ball duck against New Zealand, caught behind off Lockie Ferguson. Notably, Buttler has failed to hit a boundary in his last five innings.

Brook’s Strong Endorsement

Despite the concerning run of low scores, Brook firmly believes in Buttler’s ability. “There’s been a lot said about Jos,” Brook stated after the match. “He’s played 154 games for England and people need to take a little step back. He’s probably the best white-ball player to have ever played the game.”

Brook acknowledged Buttler is in a “little bit of a rut” but expressed excitement about his potential to turn things around. “He’s got a lot of fire in his belly and wants to demonstrate everybody what he’s made of,” Brook added. He highlighted Buttler’s career statistics, noting his average of 33.77 and strike rate of 147.77 in T20 International cricket.

England’s Options

England has Ben Duckett in the squad as a potential replacement for Buttler at the top of the order. However, Brook hinted that the team is likely to stick with the current lineup ahead of the semi-final against either India or West Indies in Mumbai next week.

Broader Struggles for Buttler

Buttler’s struggles extend beyond the current World Cup. He has only managed one half-century – 97 not out for Durban’s Super Giants – in 24 innings across England’s white-ball internationals and the SA20 this winter.

Looking Ahead

Brook’s unwavering support suggests England’s management remains confident in Buttler’s ability to rediscover his form at a crucial stage of the tournament. The upcoming semi-final will be a significant test for both Buttler and the England team as they aim for T20 World Cup glory.