'Without the mask on, I can say I was upset. I lost a bit of self‑awareness because the 2023 World Cup was a huge confidence knock' - Jos Buttler
Jos Buttler has scaled the heights of cricket, and he etched in place in England folklore by leading his country to victory at the T20 World Cup in 2022.
And this year has seen Jos back to his blistering best in the Indian Premier League and at international level - not least with a scintillating 83 off 30 balls against South Africa as England became the first team to score 300 in a T20 international.
Jos has rediscovered his spark after a difficult spell towards the end of 2023, when England struggled at the 50-over World Cup in India.
Looking back on that time, he admits that it was a serious jolt to his confidence - and a setback that he had to work his way through.
"I’m getting more and more clarity and acceptance on that time," said Jos.
"Some people said I was a certain way and I would have ego and say: ‘No, I’m not upset. I’m not angry.’
"Now, without the mask on, I can say: ‘Maybe I was upset.’ I lost a bit of self‑awareness because the 2023 World Cup in India was a huge confidence knock.
"I probably never recovered from that as a leader and never had the same conviction again."
Jos has since stepped down as England's white-ball captain - with Harry Brook stepping up - and he says it's given him the freedom to play his best cricket.
"A big burden has been lifted," said Jos. "Even when I went home I took this dark cloud. That, absolutely, has been lifted.
"During my first game, not being captain, Joe Root was in the side, which really helped.
"I kept wicket, he was at slip and I said: ‘God, it’s a bit weird, isn’t it, when you’re not captain any more?’ Joe said it’s normal to feel like this.
"He said when people talk in the dressing room in a positive way, sometimes it makes you feel like they’re talking negatively about your captaincy. You have to realise that’s not the case.
"Seeing how much Joe is enjoying cricket, and playing so well, gives me lots of comfort you can have a great time post-captaincy.
"It all comes full circle and, in the latter part of my career, I want to enjoy it and not hang on to things as hard as I may have done."
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