Natwest T20 Blast not as great as IPL: Jos Buttler

The Mumbai Indians middle-order batsman Jos Buttler recently admitted that the English Natwest T20 blast is not ‘as great’ as the IPL or the BBL. The England players were a rarity in the IPL till the last season. It was only in this season that the likes of Jos Buttler and Chris Jordan are playing the IPL.

In a conversation with Cricket Monthly, the wicket-keeper batsman quoted, “I don’t think our [domestic] T20 competition is great. Everyone watches the Big Bash and the IPL and wants to be a part of that. To experience something on a domestic level in England that is just like international cricket – every county player would love that.”

He vouched for ECB to start leagues on the lines on the IPL and the BBL. The English cricketers are not released for the IPL because the domestic county season starts at the same time as the IPL. Now that Andrew Strauss has taken over the board matters, there are chances of seeing top players from England in various leagues. Strauss had openly admitted that England’s premier white-ball players needed exposure by playing in leagues such as the IPL and Big Bash.

Buttler, too, agreed to his view of Strauss and said this should have been done earlier. He quoted, “I think it’s a really important change and it’s a bit of a shame it’s taken so long. But, I do understand it’s very tricky with the timing of our county season.”

The 25-year old batsman, who now plays the role of a finisher in the Mumbai Indians team, further added that the likes of Ben Stokes and Joe Root would be in high demand if they come in the IPL. “Someone like a Ben Stokes would be high on IPL teams’ lists. But, he’s such an important player for England in all three formats. Joe Root too. How do they get everything in? But, it would be fantastic for English cricket and all the individuals if there’s the potential to get players into these tournaments,” Buttler added further.

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