Jos Buttler has been a key player for England in limited-overs cricket in the past couple of years, and his incomparable style with the bat in hand has won many supporters.
The 23-year-old endured a difficult few months as part of the England squad which struggled in Australia and the West Indies, before failing to make it past the group stage in the recent World Twenty20.
Despite England's troubles, Buttler has been discussed as a possible long-term option for England in Test cricket, and 2014 is expected to be a big year for a player who left Somerset last year to join Lancashire.
Sports Mole caught up with Buttler to discuss his international ambitions and how he sees this summer panning out at Old Trafford.
You've made the switch to Lancashire. Have you found it easy to settle in?
"Yeah, I've settled in pretty well. I obviously haven't been there much over the winter. Getting used to the surroundings and my new teammates has been very good and I'm obviously looking forward to playing this weekend and get stuck in."
You're now an England regular. Do you feel there is added pressure on you to perform for Lancashire, especially in T20 cricket?
"There's always pressure on professional sportsmen. That's the name of the game really. At the end of the day, you're expected to perform and that's exactly what you have to do. It's natural to have that pressure on you in any situation, and I'm desperate to do really well for my new county."
© Getty Images
Were your international ambitions the main reason for leaving Somerset?
"Not really. Obviously a major factor was that I do want to play Test cricket, but I just wanted to improve as a cricketer and improve as a wicketkeeper. I wanted to be judged on keeping wicket day in and day out, so this obviously gives me a great chance to do that and working with Peter Moores is great."
Do you believe that you can achieve that goal of playing in Tests this summer?
"My goal is always to just perform as best as I can. I want to do that whoever I'm playing for, and obviously my ambition is to one day play Test cricket, but that's only going to come off the back of good performances in the County Championship."
You've spoken briefly about Peter Moores. He is a candidate to become England's new head coach. What can he bring to the job?
"He's got a great record in county cricket. He's a good coach with a great reputation. I haven't done too much work with him yet as I've been away a lot over the winter, but he's obviously got a great passion and energy for the game and a lot of knowledge. The people making the decision will certainly know that."
Following a difficult few months on tour with England, do you think that the team can turn it around this summer?
"Yeah, I think so. Everyone knows what happened during the winter, and they were tough tours, but every player is desperate to turn it around this summer. I think you'll also see a reaction in county cricket, with everyone eager to put their hand up and try to get into the England side."
Alastair Cook has said recently that there are places up for grabs in the England squads at the moment. Do you think that will make the squad stronger?
"Competition is healthy. There's only 11 places available in the side, but there's so many players from county cricket vying for those spots. That kind of competition can only be good."
Jos Buttler was speaking ahead of the NatWest T20 Blast season. Blast off is May 16, and tickets can be purchased from www.ecb.co.uk/natwestt20blast
Callum Mulvihill
