Jos Buttler has responded to Nasser Hussain’s criticism of his T20 World Cup approach ahead of the Super Eights.
Buttler has returned scores of 26, 22, 3 and 3 from the four group-stage games of the tournament, with his 53 runs coming at a strike-rate of 135.89. He made starts against Nepal and the West Indies, but couldn’t capitalise, while falling cheaply against Scotland and Italy.
This is an extension of a recent lean period. He managed 170 runs, 97 of which came in one game during a nine-match stint in the 2025/26nSA20, and didn't pass 50 in any of the following three T20Is against Sri Lanka. His last T20I half-century came against South Africa in Manchester in September 2025.
After England’s qualification for the Super Eights was secured following their win over Italy, Nasser Hussain, speaking on Sky Sports, reminded Buttler that he was “England’s greatest ever white-ball player” and that “if you bat 15 overs, you’re pretty much going to win us games off your own bat”.
Buttler addressed the former England captain’s concerns on his For the Love of Cricket podcast, saying that while he would “love to bat for 15 overs”, it would adversely affect the team.
"T20 is one of those games that asks you to keep making plays," he said. "At times, when you've been out of form in a Test match, a batting coach might say, 'Just rein it in for a bit, and try and bat for an hour, and it will come back to you - just by hook or by crook, bat for an hour.'
"But in T20 you've got to keep playing the scoreboard. If you're chasing 10 an over, you've got to play accordingly. I saw Nasser saying, 'Just bat for 15 overs' and I'd love to just bat for 15 overs, but I don't want to bat for 15 overs just for myself and ignore the game. You've got to still play the game.
"I guess he's just saying give yourself a chance, just get yourself in, and they are all the things that you want to do anyway. The game just keeps challenging you. No matter what stage of your career at, there's always something challenging you… I pride myself on my own performance.”
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England’s openers, Phil Salt and Buttler, have scored a combined 114 runs in the World Cup, with a 38-run partnership against the West Indies their highest stand so far. They begin their Super Eights campaign against Sri Lanka, followed by matches against Pakistan and New Zealand.
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