Jos Buttler pledges not to adopt gung-ho approach in Test cricket on the eve of T20 World Cup year

JAMES COYNE: "I can't think of any times I've played well in a Test match when I've gone out and been really aggressive in the way I do in the white-ball game"

Jos Buttler refuses to blame mental burnout from the World Cup triumph for his downturn in Test output.

Buttler is averaging 21 in the role of No.7 and wicketkeeper in the Test side since the World Cup, which ended in euphoria for England when he completed the critical Super Over run-out of Martin Guptill at Lord's.

There have been widespread calls for Ben Foakes to replace him as the Test wicketkeeper heading to the two Tests in Sri Lanka – but both are in the squad and, on balance of probabilities, it seems likely that England will give the incumbent another chance.

"It's an easy assumption to make," said Buttler of his form being explained by his workload. "Definitely a lot went into the World Cup – not just that summer, but for four years – and probably the realisation of it coming together and achieving that takes you and confuses you a little bit.

"That's been your clear cut-off for a long time, then that's done, so you've got to quickly reassess.

"But I maintain I just haven't played as well as I'd like and that's through decision-making, probably."

An international cricketer's career is relatively short, and there is the palpable sense that Buttler wants to emulate the very finest all-format players in the world, like Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson, who are able to consistently peak at match-time despite their high-pressure workloads.

"I think trying to manage your energy is actually a real skill of the best players around the world – how they manage their energy through a tour, through practice, to peak at the time they walk to the middle every time.

"There's a crop of guys who are the best players in the world and they're the best players across all the formats. They manage to do it. Of course you need to find breaks in your schedule.

"Your mind is your biggest asset, isn't it? You need to give it time to make sure you can bring it to the best place when you turn up to games of cricket.

"You want to play all the games; I certainly do. You want to be involved in all the formats and make the most of that. Some people are naturally suited to one or the other as well. I think you can do it but for a long long period of time, without specific breaks and looking after yourself, it's very hard work.

^{Jos Buttler's average in 13 Tests since England's World Cup win sits at 21.77}

"I think it comes with experience, but you can learn that from watching guys go about it and trying to work out how you do that authentically for yourself.

"There are times to try and pick your breaks. That's one of the big things I remember when Trevor [Bayliss, former head coach] came in. He was really good and forward-thinking about resting guys. I had a couple of nice breaks. You're still busy but you are never really going to get three months or six months off, unless unfortunately you get injured, which is not a point you want to get to.

"I just haven't played quite well enough at times. I've made too many mistakes, really. I think when you play well you feel like you make the right decision a lot of the time, you feel in a very good headspace. I just haven't quite been able to do that often enough."

There has been the suggestion that the forthcoming two Tests in Sri Lanka – though important both in terms of England's World Test Championship prospects and as a sighter for the five Tests in India next winter – would have been a prime opportunity to rest Buttler.

By going away to the IPL before the summer he could rediscover the joy of just smashing the ball in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup later in the year. Indeed, this interview was set up by Rajasthan Royals, who he will play for in between the Sri Lanka series and the home Tests against West Indies in June – assuming he keeps his place.

Buttler was rested for England's ODI series in South Africa, which meant he was able to jet home between the Test and T20I series to see his wife Laura and baby daughter Georgia Rose.

He returned for the thrilling T20I series and acknowledges that the expressiveness of opening the batting was liberating to a mind previously wrapped up with trying to rediscover his Test form. He struck 57 in England's deciding win at Centurion.

"Yeah, absolutely – it was a big relief, I think. I love T20 cricket and it allows you to go out without as many consequences. You can take more risks and move the game on.

"It is a lot of fun, and a change of formats to play in that white-ball team again was great because that is the most fun team I have played in for a long time, so that was a great change-up.

"It was probably the longest time I have ever just played red-ball cricket for a stint. I've not broken that up with any T20 or one-day cricket – [which are] obviously my strongest suit."

^{Opening the batting, Buttler struck a vital 57 in England's T20 series decider in South Africa}

Some are urging Buttler to simply apply his successful T20 approach to Test cricket – especially given that he bats in the stick-or-twist position of No.7. But he is wary of doing so, feeling that none of his best Test innings have been the result of an entirely carefree approach.

"I can't think of any times I've played well in a Test match when I've gone out and been really aggressive in the way I do in the white-ball game. In white-ball cricket it might look like risky shots, but it doesn't feel like a risk because of the way you break down the probabilities of the game.

"The same is the case in Test cricket – it is about risk management, I think. Look back to Sri Lanka and you might sweep a lot of balls or use your feet more, and that is because you see it as a low-risk option to score runs. Certainly, that is how you can try to be consistent and efficient.

"Maybe in South Africa, after the first [Test], I was thinking 'I'm going to come out and counter-attack'. When actually you've just got to play the situation in front of you and react best and, as an individual, play how you see best according to that. I maybe didn't do that as well as I would have liked.

"I'm looking forward to Sri Lanka. Having sat and reflected, I will try and do more of committing to my way, whether it's trying to block 1,000 balls or slog 1,000 balls. If that's what I want to try and do, I'll do it."

Another thing to bottle is the application he showed in his second coming in the Test arena – when he was recalled by the incoming chairman of selectors Ed Smith for the 2018 summer Test series against Pakistan.

"Certainly I was very clear. I came into that full of confidence. Very clear and committed to how I was going to play. I did it my way. I think a lot of people assume that I'm going to play loads of shots and counter-attack. But trying to actually trust my defence and judgement around off stump – that's really where the game in Test cricket is won or lost. I think I did that better [than I have recently]."

^{Buttler will return to Rajasthan Royals for this season's IPL to kickstart his T20 World Cup preparations}

Buttler concedes that at 29, almost 10 years on from his England debut, he can no longer be picked on sheer potential. But he still believes he has room for improvement.

"I've got massive self-belief, and a lot of it is about fulfilling potential. I'm too old now to get picked on potential. I feel I have a lot of potential in my game that I haven't got to the level I know I can get to. That's a big driver for me. That's my aim every time I turn up to practice, to try to get better and try and reach to where I can become capable of that level. I've always maintained that belief."

Even so, Buttler says that – with memories of Foakes' superb series with gloves and bat in Sri Lanka just 18 months ago – he cannot necessarily expect to play in the first Test at Galle.

"I'm very committed to Test cricket. It's the best form of the game; its the hardest form of the game. When you have good moments, they're the most rewarding. You want to be a part of that.

"My performances may have meant that decision would be taken out of my hands. But fortunately for me, I'm on the tour and really excited about it. I enjoyed the last tour there that we won back in November 2018. I've got good memories from that tour and looking forward to going back.

"I always see myself as a keeper, I want to keep. I also enjoyed not keeping, because it gives you a focus on one skill. As a keeper, because you're the only one of your type in the side, you spend more time working on that skill.

"But that's the skill of being an all-rounder – working hard on both. We have one of the best all-rounders in the world in our team [presumably Ben Stokes], who sets a pretty good example of how to train, so it's good to follow his lead.

"Obviously Ben [Foakes] had a brilliant series in Sri Lanka and is a brilliant wicketkeeper so I don't go out there with preconceived ideas. If I play, great – I want to make the most of it. If Ben is going to keep… whatever is best for the team."

The IPL returns to Sky Sports for the 2020 season where you can watch the Rajasthan Royals' star English contingent of Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, Ben Stokes and Tom Curran