‘F**k it’: England wicketkeeper’s simple philosophy in Gabba counter-attack

Jos Buttler couldn’t resurrect England’s woeful batting display at the Gabba on Wednesday, but he sent a warning to Australian cricket fans.

England's Jos Buttler cuts a ball off Australia's bowler Mitchell Starc for four. Photo by Patrick HAMILTON / AFP

Three years ago, England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler made headlines when photographers spotted a hidden message on his cricket bat.

“F**k it.”

Some pundits criticised the gloveman for the expletive, but it’s a simple philosophy that has served him reasonably well ever since.

“I think it’s just something that reminds me of what my best mindset is – when I’m playing cricket, and probably in life as well,” he said at the time.

Before the Gabba Test got underway on Wednesday, Buttler vowed he would be “fearless” during the Ashes series — and he stuck by that promise on day one in Brisbane.

When the 31-year-old waltzed to the crease in the afternoon session, England was in dire straits at 5/60 with skipper Joe Root and all-rounder Ben Stokes already back in the sheds.

At the other end, young gun Ollie Pope was cautiously looking to survive in the middle, knowing the Aussies were just one wicket away from exposing the vulnerable English tail.

But Buttler employed a vastly different strategy — counter-attack.

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As he’s done so often before in the shorter formats, Buttler’s fifth ball at the crease was spanked through the covers — he freed the arms and slashed at a wide delivery from Josh Hazlewood to score his first runs of the series.

A couple of overs later, he lofted a length delivery from Hazlewood over the infield for another classy boundary. Soon after, an aerial straight drive was sent back above the tall bowler’s head.

It wasn’t reckless batting from Buttler — he respected the good balls, and when there was width on offer, or the bowlers got their length slightly wrong, he attacked.

ASHES LIVE BLOG: Gabba Test day 1 coverage

Jos Buttler top-scored for England on Wednesday. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

After just 26 deliveries at the crease, he was England’s highest run-scorer of the day — new Australian captain Pat Cummins resorted to placing a fielder on the long-off boundary when Buttler was on strike.

Momentum briefly shifted back in England’s favour — the scoreboard was ticking over considerably faster with Buttler in the middle.

“I feel like I have nothing to lose, to be honest,” he told reporters last week.

“It’s the first time I’m experiencing an Ashes series (in Australia), so I’m fully determined to enjoy all the challenges that throws up. I’m excited to experience it, the good the bad, and I’m sure the highs and lows along the way.

“As a player at the minute I’m trying to bring a fearless approach and to truly try and embrace the opportunity. I know when I get to somewhere near my best that’s going to be pretty good.”

Jos Buttler counter attacks are so beautiful #Ashes

— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) December 8, 2021

Buttler looks like he is playing on another wicket. Amazing what a positive mindset can do. Pope and him can rebuild here. #Ashes

— Rahul Puri (@rahulpuri) December 8, 2021

Buttler is playing like a true Australian. We Aussies respect that, however grudgingly. #Ashes

— Kevin Yam 任建峰 (@kevinkfyam) December 8, 2021

During the recent Men’s T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, Buttler smacked an unbeaten 71 off 32 balls to embarrass Australia’s bowlers during their Super 12 clash in Dubai.

By no means was he batting at that same tempo on Wednesday, but his calculated ferocity had translated seamlessly into the game’s longest format.

Buttler’s cameo came to an end shortly after the drinks break, with Mitchell Starc finding the wicketkeeper’s outside edge in the 41st over.

Coming from over the wicket, Starc got the Kookaburra to nip away from the right-handed Buttler, who was flat-footed at the crease. He made his way back to the pavilion for 39, ultimately England’s highest individual score of the innings.

Buttler couldn’t resurrect England’s woeful batting display on Wednesday, but he sent a warning to Australian cricket fans of what to expect over the coming six weeks.

Joe Root’s men were rolled for 147 on day one of the Gabba Test before rain intervened. Play will resume on Thursday morning at 10.30am AEDT.