Salt and Buttler under scrutiny? Lancashire coach Steven Croft wants opening pair to enjoy their cricket 

Lancashire County Cricket Club head coach Steven Croft doesn’t want his players to feel pressure to play every white ball game for their county this season.  

England and Lancashire’s short form opening batsmen received criticism for their lacklustre performances in last month’s T20 World Cup, held in India and Sri Lanka.  

Phil Salt managed 130 runs in the entire competition whereas his county partner, Jos Buttler, only secured a total score of 87 in England’s journey to the semi-final. 

Croft revealed the type of environment he wants his players to come back into. 

“With what they’re experiencing, they’ve been around the block a few times, hopefully, we create an environment that we don’t rely on them to play every game and we don’t rely on them to score hundreds every game. 

“They’ll come back and hopefully slot into our team and enjoy playing their cricket.”  

Salt and Buttler are currently away with their respective Indian Premier League sides. Salt’s poor form has carried into his IPL campaign, scoring eight runs in the season opener for Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad.  

Gujarat Titans’ Jos Buttler had a better start in their first game. He scored 38 runs in their defeat to Punjab Kings.  

It is unclear when Salt and Buttler will return to their county as Lancashire’s white ball campaign begins on May 22 against Surrey at the Kia Oval.