Jos Buttler shares his views on ‘defending champions’ tag

Under Eoin Morgan’s inspirational leadership, England won the 50-over World Cup for the first time. Four years later, Jos Buttler will lead England into the World Cup, hoping to be the third team after the West Indies and Australia to retain the prestigious title.

After beating New Zealand 3-1 in a recent ODI series at home, Buttler stated that he doesn’t like his team being called the ‘defending champions’. He feels his team is in the same boat as the other teams, competing in the tournament, starting from scratch.

It’s done, It’s about trying to create something new: Jos Butter

“We’re not trying to defend anything. We’re trying to go there and win a World Cup. We are in exactly the same position as every other team,” the flamboyant wicketkeeper-batter said after the series win against the Kiwis. He reiterated the same on the eve of England’s opening fixture against the Blackcaps.

“For me, the past is in the past. You can’t recreate something, or hold onto it forever. It’s all about something new. It’s fantastic to be champions and the reigning champions, and I won’t say we’ve left that behind completely because it’s a nice place to be. But I do feel like you’ve given that trophy back now. It’s done, It’s about trying to create something new,” Buttler was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo ahead of the first match of the ODI World Cup 2023.

“We must be hungry to try to do it again and try to be focused on something different. Stuff in the past can be nice reference points: you talk about experience, and I never believed in it as a young player. I thought you could either do it, or you couldn’t. But certainly now, as an older player, there are times that things happen and they are nice to refer back to,” Buttler added.

England are one of the favourites to win the showpiece event but Buttler wants to focus on each match as it comes.