England star Jos Buttler has dismissed his own chances of opening for the Test team anytime soon.
The 31-year-old was recently appointed Eoin Morgan's successor as ODI and T20 captain after the ex-Ireland star retired from international cricket. Buttler is largely regarded as one of the best white-ball players on the planet, but the debate surrounding his Test future continues to divide opinion.
England have undergone a metamorphosis since Brendon McCullum was appointed the new head coach, while Ben Stokes has taken over as captain. Buttler's promotion as opener would be another twist in that transformation, an idea that's gained momentum since Kumar Sangakkara suggested it during the recent third Test match against New Zealand.
“I thought someone had written the wrong story, to be honest. I don't think there is much merit in that [the prospect of opening Tests]," Buttler told BBC Sport's Test Match Special when quizzed about the prospect of opening a Test match. "Was it from Kumar [Sangakkara]? Maybe he was just plugging from Rajasthan Royals openers or something.
"No, it's been fantastic to watch the Test team over the last few weeks, so I've thoroughly enjoyed tuning in as a fan. It's been incredible to watch - you're gripped to your seat, aren't you? To see what they're doing has been brilliant. I've loved watching them and I hope it continues."
Asked by Jonathan Agnew whether there was a red ball in his bag leading up to the Test campaign, Buttler replied: "Not at the minute, no." Plenty of fans will be looking to see that change in the near future, however, in the hopes he can replicate his T20 success to the Test arena.
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McCullum mentioned early on in his tenure that Buttler was one of the names he'd be interested in having as part of his squad. The Lancashire representative was left out following the Ashes defeat to Australia this past winter, having won 57 Test caps for his country to date.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan threw his support behind Buttler and recently called it a "no-brainer" for him to take over as white-ball captain. "He's the best white-ball player in the world, he's got a very smart cricket brain, and he's got that calmness you need," he wrote for the Telegraph.
In a roundabout way, Buttler's modesty and humility will only enamour him all the more among certain fans of the sport. An opening Test role remains a long way off, however, and it appears few would be more surprised than the man himself should it come to pass.
