Players free to opt out after cricket returns: Jos Buttler

As the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has started working on plans to resume cricket after the Covid-19 pandemic suspended the game, wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler said players will be given an option to opt-out from any tour or match if they feel uncomfortable as safety is paramount. Buttler lauded board’s officials for keeping transparency with players and respecting individual decisions, irrespective of circumstances. “I think that’s been made clear from Ash and Gurj and Nick Pierce, who have all been great at communicating with us, that the safety of the players is going to be paramount to any cricket being played and if you don’t feel comfortable then that is your own decision,” Buttler was A“I think it’d be very fair to say that if someone had reservations about playing, or didn’t feel comfortable for certain reasons, be that affecting their family or however that looks, I think in these times that wouldn’t be held against you,” he added.

West Indies are expected to be England’s first opponents, with a planned three-Test series being pushed back into July, and it has been reported that their players would be given the option of declining a spot on the tour. “I’m sure they’ve been having discussions. Individually, it’ll look different for each and every player and I’m sure all those voices will be heard. I think it would be completely natural to have some apprehension and anxiety about it and lots of questions to ask,” Buttler said.