England wicket-keeper Jos Buttler believes that the ongoing shutdown caused by the outbreak of the deadly Coronavirus has allowed all the sportspersons including cricketers to recharge their batteries.
Buttler usually faces a grueling schedule of both international and domestic cricket but the Coronavirus outbreak has brought all it to a shuddering halt and the English star believes this unexpected break could have a positive effect in extending his career “by a few years”.
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He was last seen in action in a warm-up match against Sri Lanka in March before the COVID-19 crisis brought the global sport to a standstill with the ECB extended the ban on the game until July 1 and Buttler believes the extended break will prove beneficial for many to prolong their careers by a few years.
Buttler told British media via a conference call on Wednesday (May 13): “I think, maybe in years to come you’ll potentially look back on it as a big benefit. It’s obviously been a very strange time for everyone, very tough on a lot of families and a lot of people across the world so it’s tough to say it’s been enjoyable. But in years to come, I think you’ll look back and this is a time you’ll never get again in your cricket career because hopefully, we’ll never experience anything like this again.”
The 29-year-old Lancashire cricketer further added: “To have a complete break both physically and mentally could potentially add a few years to the career and you’ll hopefully see some benefits from the break. I know rugby is a very physical game but if you look at some New Zealand players who have taken a sabbatical for a period of time, it could potentially have a positive effect on us as England players.”
Meanwhile, the COVID-19 outbreak continues to wreak havoc in the UK as Britain has recorded Europe’s highest death toll with over 32,000 deaths so far, but the government has given the green light for the elite sport to return from June 1, which means players’ training is expected to start in the coming days.
However, Buttler admitted he has mixed feelings about getting back on the field amidst the COVID-10 crisis, saying: “It’s everything -- a bit of nerves, a bit of excitement, a little bit of apprehension -- but it’s a positive step for cricket in England that the players can start training individually.”
He signed off by saying, “It looks like in the next week or so, or however imminent it will be, that we’ll have the chance to train individually. As a player you feel like you’ve had a nice rest and really enjoyed it, it’s been good to have the break and hopefully feeling refreshed for some cricket.”
(With PTI Inputs)
