London, June 11 (IANS) Wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler aspired to be England’s AB de Villiers but admitted he has a long way to go to rival the great South African even after his brilliant century against New Zealand.
Buttler raced to a century in just 66 balls, after Joe Root had done so in 71, as England went 1-0 up in the five-game series with a record-breaking 210-run win at Edgbaston on Tuesday.
It was the biggest win in terms of runs for England in 50-over cricket.
Talking after the match, the right-hander said he was not of the level of de Villiers but he would try and emulate him.
“I’m not sure I’m quite at those guys’ level yet,” Buttler was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au on Thursday.
“AB de Villiers is someone who has been a role model for me for a long period of time – someone who has changed batting, I think, over the past few years – and everyone is trying to emulate him. That’s the role I want to play in English cricket,” he added.
“I want to be that guy who can go out like I did and play those kind of innings and try to do that consistently.”
England next play New Zealand at the Oval here on Friday.
