Following his return to Test cricket for the first time since 2016, Jos Buttler smacked two 50s in three innings against Pakistan to buy himself more time in red-ball cricket. The last time he played a first-class game was in September 2017 and, as a result, his inclusion in the Test team was questioned by many.

In the end, however, he answered his critics with brilliant performances against Pakistan – one of which was a match-saving 80 not-out in the second Test – and Buttler himself was surprised with how well he responded to Test cricket right after concluding his IPL season.

"I think, in a way, it has been a bit of a surprise," Buttler said. "Up until now it was unheard of in England to pick someone who hasn't been banging the door down in red-ball cricket. Or even playing it. It's a new way of selecting someone and I don't think anyone knew how I was going to do or play.

"So it's really satisfying to know I can make that switch between formats.”

The wicketkeeper-batsman then went on to analyse why he failed to get going in the format earlier.

"Maybe in the past, I made more of that switch than there I needed to, really. The basics of the game are similar. As long as you can control the mental aspect of it, the actual technique and things look after themselves."

Buttler had a great Indian Premier League campaign with Rajasthan Royals just before the Pakistan Test series. He scored five half-centuries on the trot to resurge the Royals from the dead and help them finish top four.