Jos Buttler & Rangana Herath speak ahead of England v Bangladesh in ICC Cricket World Cup 2023

Jos Buttler & Rangana Herath speak ahead of England v Bangladesh in ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

[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.

[Reporter:]

With England playing tomorrow, and your team having played in Dharamsala on the 7th, you have seen how the outfield is. What are the protocols for the fielders? What advice would you give the fielders on this outfield?

[Rangana Herath:]

Basically, as you said that we had a very good outing two days ago. So, in that case, we know how the ground field works. So, in that case, we need to adapt with the ground field as well. So mainly that we had a very good start against Afghanistan. So, in that case, I'm sure that we need to continue that same mindset with our approach, actually.

[Reporter:]

About the outfield. It's not great. The ICC commented that it's an average outfield. So, what would you tell the fielders to do? I mean, are you telling them not to do certain things in that outfield?

[Rangana Herath:]

No, we are not going to restrict anything because if you ask someone to restrict something, in that case they don't give their 100%. In that case, I'm sure that they did well that previous game, so we are asking give their best even in the outfield as well.

[Reporter:]

Your spinners did really well in the first match and wicket was really good for the spinners too. So, what do you think in this big match they will have a big role for spinners and are you hopeful for this?

[Rangana Herath:]

I think I would like to highlight as you said that the spinners did well, so in that case apart from their skills I think they read the pitch very well. So, after that, they bowl well according to those situations. In that case, I'm sure these two spinners will bowl, they will assess the condition first, and they will bowl according to the pitch actually.

[Reporter:]

Just on the outfield, are you happy with the condition of the outfield? Do you think it is good enough for a very important World Cup match?

[Rangana Herath:]

I think ICC have done a lot of hard work on that. So, in that case, I think they think that because of the standard that they have maintained, they have given that authority to play one day international. So, in that case, I'm happy with it.

[Reporter:]

In the match against Afghanistan, there was no proper sixth bowling option in the eleven. I mean, obviously Mahmudullah was there and Shanto, but no proper sixth bowling option. Do you feel that against England you might need someone like Nasum Ahmed or Shak Mahedi Hasan - maybe one more pacer?

[Rangana Herath:]

It's all up to the condition and I'm sure if you really needed another extra option then selectors and the coach, captain, they will have a proper discussion and they will decide tomorrow.

[Reporter:]

But just what do you feel?

[Rangana Herath:]

Obviously, because we are playing in a different surface, so in that case we need to see the surface first, then we can decide.

[Reporter:]

You haven't seen the wicket yet?

[Rangana Herath:]

I haven't seen the pitch yet.

[Reporter:]

What's the message towards the team after the win and before playing against England? We know you guys would go one at a time, but what's the actual message there for the players against England?

[Rangana Herath:]

Very important is playing our brand of cricket. So, with that approach and with the body language. So, we need to play that same mindset with that same approach. So, if we can play that brand of our cricket, so there's a chance of winning as well as succeeding.

[Reporter:]

How do you see the experience of New Zealand versus England in the previous match? Bangladesh has also played so many matches in this outfield and this stadium. How will you take advantage from that?

[Rangana Herath:]

Basically, when we were watching that last few games actually, playing those teams England, New Zealand and yesterday India, Australia. So there are things that we can learn out of those games. Because the next for example that we are playing a game against New Zealand in Chennai. So those are the advantages that we can get by watching, actually. So, as you said, those are very good experiences and learnings for us. So, we need to take game one at a time, actually.

[Reporter:]

About Shakib and Mehidy's bowling in the last game, how would you describe it and was it up to your expectation as well, especially how Shakib bowled quite aggressively?

[Rangana Herath:]

To be honest, 10 out of 10. Because as I said earlier, they read the pitch well. So, then they analysed which line and which length that they needed to bowl. And they had a very attacking field setting as well. So, in that case, I'm 100% happy with how they bowled actually.

[Reporter:]

About the field placings in the last game, you didn't have a lot of fielders in the deep, even when Afghanistan were on the attack. Is that also part of the brand of cricket that you want to play?

[Rangana Herath:]

Definitely, because when it comes to planning, obviously, you have to play your best with your skill and strength. So, in that case, having an extra fielder inside, having some different kind of a field setting. So those are that we are thinking of actually.

[Reporter:]

And then a last question from me. I wanted to ask you on a personal level have you seen an outfield like this before when you've played at this highest level maybe at a world event?

[Rangana Herath:]

Obviously not from the start, sometimes after rain and all so you can get this kind of a field because unless you get a proper 100 percent in that case as I said earlier - if you get a field like international standard, so why we are going to complain about it? So, I'm not up to thinking of that level. So, if it is good for playing international cricket, I'm happy with the decision.

[Reporter:]

Coach, what about batting lineup? England have a very good bowling attack, and in the preparation match we have seen that they can do something better. So, what do you think about this batting line-up, especially in the opening pair, which Litton Das is not doing really well for few matches. So, what is the concern about batting?

[Rangana Herath:]

I mean, so as you said, like Litton Das, so we, everybody can go through a kind of a rough patch. So only thing is how you can come back strongly. So, I'm sure that Litton will come back very strongly. As you said, always when it comes to batting, we need to have a proper partnership. So that's our main goal. So, get a proper partnership, and once you get that partnership, we need to score big, actually.