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England's Most Valuable Player of the 2018 Summer discusses his hunger to perform for his country.
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Jos Buttler says he has fulfilled some dreams this summer after a barnstorming return to Test cricket has seen him win the Overall England Most Valuable Player award.
Recalled to the Test team after a record equalling five consecutive half-centuries in the Indian Premier League, Buttler scored an impressive 161 runs across three innings in the drawn Pakistan series to set-up a summer to remember.
The wicketkeeper-batsman then followed his form up with unbeaten scores of 91, 54 and 110 in the 5-0 ODI whitewash of Australia before hitting one fifty against India in a series which was won 2-1.
Buttler’s form continued throughout all the formats with IT20 scores of 61, 69, 14 and 34 in the four matches in the middle of the summer meant he ended the white-ball summer as England’s MVP in both formats, ending with 124 ODI and 52 IT20 MVP points.
The 28-year-old then ended the campaign with his maiden Test Match century against India at Trent Bridge which was backed up with half-centuries at the Ageas Bowl and Kia Oval.
Selected as a specialist batsman at number seven, he played an important role in the lower order which helped England to a 4-1 victory over the number one team in the world.
With James Anderson winning the Test MVP for the summer with 148 MVP points, Buttler finished a creditable sixth on 96 points and was delighted with his form throughout the summer.
“I’ve felt in really good form, ever since the IPL and maybe even a bit before that as well so what has been pleasing is being able to be consistent and make contributions to the games,” said Buttler.
“I’ve always maintained that hunger this season to do it again and again and that has been really pleasing.”
Only Buttler and Jonny Bairstow have played in every England game this summer, underlining the importance of his contribution to the side and maintaining his desire to win games for his country.
The destructive Lancashire man will be playing in the Blast Finals Day at Edgbaston on Saturday before having time off ahead of the Sri Lanka series. With the ODI squad departing at the end of September, Buttler is looking forward to some time off to reflect and recharge his batteries.
“Have a bit of time away from the game and that’s a nice time to reflect on how the summer has gone, it couldn’t have gone any better for me.
“I have managed to fulfil some dreams and I don’t really play the game for personal things, I want to play for the team and win games of cricket for the team. But, to do that, you have to play well individually and it’s been really pleasing and a nice summer to look back on.”
To view the England MVP Rankings, click here.
