England cricketer Jos Buttler is approaching the game with fresh perspective following a period of profound personal loss and professional transition. The 35-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman recently lost his father and has stepped down from the white-ball captaincy, changes that have reshaped his outlook on cricket and life.
Buttler described how his father’s passing during the Hundred tournament brought new clarity. “It’s given me a deeper appreciation for the game,” he reflected. “Every time I play now, I find myself looking at the sky, imagining him watching. He always just wanted me to do my best, and that’s become my focus.”
The veteran player has embraced his role as one of the team’s senior figures, joking that younger teammates now call him “Grandpa.” Yet his performances remain formidable, highlighted by his blistering 83 off 30 balls against South Africa that helped England become the first team to breach 300 runs in a T20 international.
A significant shift came when Buttler stopped maintaining the detailed notebooks that had accompanied his career for over a decade. “I realized I’d been writing the same things whether I was playing well or poorly,” he explained. “Letting go of that process coincided with some of my best cricket during the IPL. It taught me I don’t need to try so hard.”
The relief from captaincy duties has been palpable. “A big burden’s been lifted,” Buttler acknowledged. “Even when I went home, I carried this dark cloud. That has absolutely disappeared.” He found particular reassurance in conversations with Joe Root, who experienced similar liberation after stepping down as Test captain.
Looking ahead to the Ashes, Buttler predicted an England victory in what he expects to be “an absolute classic” series. Despite his own challenging experiences in previous Ashes campaigns, he believes the current squad is perfectly positioned for success.
Buttler’s passion for cricket continues through his popular podcast with Stuart Broad, where he’s discovered a love for deeper cricket conversations. “It’s been great learning new skills without it affecting my performance,” he noted.
With two World Cups approaching next year, Buttler’s ambitions remain clear. “I want to experience that winning dressing room again, especially with England in another World Cup. Lifting that trophy in 2022 with your team around you is something I’ll never forget. It would be good to have that feeling again.”
