England Captain Jos Buttler during a pre-match press conference
[Reporter:]
Are you guys pretty keen to get back up and running? Obviously, disappointing result first time, is the best thing for you to get back out on that pitch and have another crack?
[Jos Buttler:]
Yeah, absolutely. That's been good for us, I think, to have a few days. We've had a couple of really good days of preparation yesterday and today. And yeah, everyone's desperate to get out and put in a really good performance.
[Reporter:]
And how would you describe the sort of the feeling in the group? Is there a hunger there to properly get started and sort of sweep that one behind you a bit?
[Jos Buttler:]
Yeah absolutely, very much looking forward. We know we didn't play as well as we can in the last game and you're always desperate to put that right, both individually and as a team. So, there's plenty of hunger in the group and we're excited to get back on the field.
[Reporter:]
Can I ask you about the field, quite literally? A bit of talk about the outfield, it obviously is a minor concern, we know Jonathan Trott was in here the other day, not too happy with it. From your practices you've had out there, do you have any concerns about it at all?
[Jos Buttler:]
Yeah a few I think, it's poor in my own opinion. I think any time you're sort of talking about being careful diving or sort of being careful when you're fielding, it sort of goes against everything you want to be as a team. You know you want to dive through our houses to save a run. So that's obviously not ideal, the way the surface is, the outfield. But we won't use it as an excuse, we'll adapt to it. But yeah, certainly if you feel like you're having to hold yourself back, it's not a place you want to be as a team or player, or in a World Cup match.
[Reporter:]
Looking at the Mujeeb incident in particular, do you have concerns that the players could get injured, that there's a problem? You've got players in your team who've had unfortunate things happen to them before.
[Jos Buttler:]
Yeah, injuries can happen at any time, can't they, on any surface, but I think it's definitely one where you're going to have to be a little bit careful, which isn't what you want to be doing playing for your country. You want to put your body on the line and be trying to save every single run or have confidence in the field. So, it's not as good as it could be or should be, but it's going to be the same for both teams, and the wicket looks fantastic. So, as I said we're hungry to get out there and play well, so we won't be using it as an excuse, we just have to be a bit smart, I think.
[Reporter:]
Ben obviously missed out last time he's had two reasonably long hits out there but maybe looks like he's not quite tracking for match fitness just yet?
[Jos Buttler:]
Yeah, probably unlikely. It's good to see him back in the nets and building back towards full fitness but probably unlikely for tomorrow.
[Reporter:]
Jos could you just tell us a bit about the pitch? Here, historically, I think it's favoured seamers a little bit more. Is that an option for you to change the balance, bring in an extra seamer in for a spinner potentially?
[Jos Buttler:]
Yeah, it's definitely an option. I've played here in the IPL just gone, and there can be some good pace and bounce in the wicket. So certainly, we'll have those discussions and we've got fantastic options within the squad to put out different lineups with a different balance and yeah, certainly something we'll consider.
[Reporter:]
And just with the seamers, are there any concerns about the run-up areas themselves? I saw a couple of players were sort of running over them and testing them out earlier.
[Jos Buttler:]
Yeah, I think again the same, it's just getting that level of trust. Certainly, guys tearing in and trying to bowl fast, they need that confidence in the run-up so yeah, I think probably take guys a couple of balls probably to get used to it but they are professionals, they'll adapt.
[Reporter:]
You have experience about this stadium and this outfield. How do you see the difference from IPL and now that you have inspected the outfield? The other thing is that Livingstone has also played on the same outfield and on the same pitches. So how will you gain from the experience of earlier matches in this stadium?
[Jos Buttler:]
Yes, the outfield is different to when we played here in the IPL. But yeah, there's a couple of guys who played one or two games here. I think I played in a game about 10 years ago so yeah trying to remember. But we'll adapt and we have those discussions. We're always very proactive with talking in small groups and around sharing experiences, and then obviously all cricket is about adapting on the day.
[Reporter:]
Would the consideration of the outfield, does that play any part in whether or not to play Ben or is it just completely on where he is fitness-wise at the moment?
[Jos Buttler:]
No, just completely on where he is.
[Reporter:]
And I know, you're behind the stumps, but can you just talk a bit about how difficult is it as far as your instincts go when you're fielding? Is it hard to stop yourself? Like do instincts, can they take over basically?
[Jos Buttler:]
Yeah, I think naturally you want to be instinctive in the field. If you see a ball, you want to dive for it. So, it's unique, I think, to be honest. And I know it's going to be the same for both teams, but if you're having to sort of, hold yourself back, you shouldn't have to feel like that, I don't think. So yeah, hopefully, fingers crossed, no one on either side picks up an unfortunate injury.
[Reporter:]
There's been a bit of a thing between Bangladesh and England, whenever it's in the World Cup, we have seen in the past. Are you guys worried about the fact that there is a probable threat from Bangladesh, especially in the World Cup?
[Jos Buttler:]
No, not at all. We've had some excellent games against Bangladesh, a very good team and we respect every team that we play against and in World Cup matches you expect really tough opponents and tough fixtures.
[Reporter:]
So, after the last match, Rahmanullah Gurbaz made one of the observations that this particular wicket is not one for playing cross-batted. He said very vehemently that even though he could have played those shots he was quite frustrated you know that his teammates went for it early on as it's one of those wickets where you need to be a little bit calmer in your approach. Your team being the aggressive approach team that it has been over the years, do you think this poses a challenge to you in the upcoming game against a side that has a lot of slow bowlers?
[Jos Buttler:]
Yeah, that's one individual's take on the wicket. We always go into the game being prepared but with an open mind to react to what comes down, react to the conditions on the day and like I say, encourage guys to be positive. So, we don't go in with too many preconceived ideas about things like that.
[Reporter:]
The other day the pitch sort of played a little slow, which was uncharacteristic for a Dharamshala wicket. So, does that go into your game plan leading into the game? Because usually Dharamshala has been better for the quicker bowlers, but the first game started a little slow?
[Jos Buttler:]
As I said, it's about reacting on the day. I think we can sit here and talk for ages about what might happen or what the wicket might play like. The skill of the game is working that out very quickly as soon as the match starts and playing accordingly.
[Reporter:]
Bangladesh have won their first match in the World Cup and surely, their morale is high. England lost their first match in the World Cup and surely, they are on the down side. Do you think that is not an ideal situation to face Bangladesh in terms of England's perspective?
[Jos Buttler:]
Both teams have only played one match, so we're very confident as a team. We know we can play better than we did in the last game and we look forward to putting in a good performance tomorrow.
ICC
