From time to time, cricket offers that reminder that players are simply born to play on the big stage. Jos Buttler’s return to the opener had been one of those moments. The England captain has returned to his natural habitat, and the results speak for themselves. After seeing Buttler at No. 3 for several months, it felt like England had been rejuvenated by Buttler opening as the World Cup approaches; it feels especially obvious. Buttler is an opener, and whether he opens is probably the difference between England receiving the trophy and not.
Buttler and Salt: The Perfect Opening Recipe
Opening partnerships in T20 cricket are often about chemistry as much as skill. Buttler and Phil Salt have it in spades. Their partnership has already crossed the 1,000-run mark in T20 internationals, and their recent fireworks—like the 126-run stand off just 47 balls—show why they’re England’s most destructive duo. Salt plays the role of the early aggressor, throwing the first punches, while Buttler slips into beast mode soon after. It’s almost like watching a boxing tag team: Salt softens the opposition, Buttler delivers the knockout blow.
When Buttler opens, the numbers speak volumes. He averages over 53 in the Powerplay while striking at more than 150. Those first six overs, with only two fielders outside the circle, are when he’s at his most lethal. At No. 3, he often misses out on that advantage, forced to start slower against spin or older balls. Quite simply, England are wasting his best when he isn’t opening.
Age Is Just a Number, But Timing Is Everything
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room—Buttler’s age. He just turned 35, which makes him the veteran in an otherwise young England side. That doesn’t mean he’s slowing down. If anything, he’s showing more clarity in his game than ever before. His 30-ball 83 against South Africa wasn’t just brutal hitting; it was a masterclass in controlled aggression.
Yes, retirement talk is hovering—he’s the same age Eoin Morgan was when he stepped away. But Buttler’s form suggests there’s fuel left in the tank. England shouldn’t think about phasing him out yet. Instead, they should think about how to squeeze every ounce of brilliance out of him while he’s still around. And that means keeping him in the role where he makes the biggest impact: opening.
Building Around the Star, Not Beside Him
England’s biggest challenge isn’t about Buttler—it’s about fitting everyone else around him. Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith—England are spoiled for choice in the batting order. But let’s be honest: tinkering with Buttler and Salt would be madness. They’re the glue that holds this batting unit together. Duckett can drop to No. 3 and feast on spin in the middle overs, while Brook’s finishing power can close out games.
The message is simple: don’t make it overly complicated. Arrange the order around Buttler’s strength, not despite it. You have a world-class match-winner who can turn games on his own. Your job isn’t to move him around; it’s to get him in front of as many balls as you can..
FAQs
- Why should Jos Buttler remain as England’s opener?
Because he is most destructive in the Powerplay, averaging over 53 with a strike rate above 150 when opening.
- How effective is Buttler’s partnership with Phil Salt?
They’ve scored over 1,000 T20I runs together, making them England’s most reliable and explosive opening pair.
- Isn’t Buttler too old to keep opening?
At 35, he’s still in peak form and remains England’s most consistent T20 run-scorer.
