England captain Jos Buttler describes T20 series as ‘a success’ despite loss to West Indies
Jos Buttler has described England's series with West Indies as 'a success', despite falling to defeat in the T20 series.
England were beaten by four wickets in Trinidad as the West Indies clinched the series decider to end the five-match contest as three-two winners.
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Buttler’s England had comeback from two-nil down to look like they might be on the brink of an unlikely victory, but a poor batting display saw them slip from 110 for 4 to 132 all out.
Asked if the trip had been a success overall, the England captain said: "I think so.
"We all wanted to win the series and it's hard to say when you've lost, but I think we've found out some good things.
"Obviously some players have stood up and done really well. We’ve obviously had five games out here in the Caribbean and had a really good look at what conditions will be like for the World Cup only six months away. So yeah, it's been a good series.”
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The biggest plus for England across the five matches has been the arrival of Phil Salt as England’s undisputed T20 opener alongside Buttler, with back-to-back centuries in the third and fourth matches confirming the talent that Salt possesses.
“He’s a great partner to have at the top of the order," said Buttler.
"He’s obviously played brilliantly throughout the series and I've opened with him quite a bit for Lancashire and in the Hundred with Manchester as well, he's got great intent from ball one.
“For him to go on and make those really big contributions has been a brilliant feather in his cap, to get an unbeaten hundred, to walk-off not out winning a game for England, and scoring those really big scores, has been a great thing for him.”
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With one eye on the T20 World Cup next year, Buttler identified England’s death-bowling as an area of potential improvement, with all parties having fingers crossed for the return of Jofra Archer.
“Obviously I saw him [Archer] in Barbados, it was good to see him back in training with us and bowling well.
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"I know the medical team and staff have got a good plan for him and I think I speak on behalf of all England cricket fans and cricket fans around the world, we want to see Jof back and back for good.
"So I think it's important that he takes his time.”
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