espnstar.com spoke exclusively to promising Somerset wicketkeeper Jason Butler, who spoke of his England prospects and more.

By Sudeer Mahavaadi

Q: Is this your first time in India?

Ans: It is not my first visit. I came here two years go to attend a spin clinic in Mumabi. I had some nice experience then. This is my second visit and we are all greatly excited to be part of the inaugral Airtel Champions League Twenty20. Somerset is doing well and it is really pleasing.

Obviously, this is a great opportunity for a yougster like me to watch some of the greatest players taking part. I am really excited and I am sure it  makes a big point in my career development. I hope by the end of the tourney, I would have learnt a lot.

Q: You must have been told a lot about Indian wickets.

Ans: Well we heard a a lot about wickets here. Surely, the wicket back home differs a lot. It is a challenge for yougsters like me. I am ready to grab the chances coming my way.

Q: You have recently celebrated your 19th birthday - how do you look at your future?

Ans: I am just into first class cricket now but I am pretty confident that I have a big future. These kinds of tournaments as I mentioned will certainly help me hone my skills further. I made my debut against Lanchashire recently. I just played one match and it went rather nicely for me, scoring some 30 odd runs. In that match I just played and fielded. It was I suppose a nice beginning for me.

Q: How was it watching VVS Laxman in your debut match?

Ans: It was really a great experience for me. He scored a century to save the match. He is a great player and I was really fortunate to start my career in that match.

Q: When we talk about the wicket-keepers in England - there is good competition at the moment - your colleague Craig seems to be knocking at the doors as well?

Ans: Well that is for sure. He is a very fine wicket-keeper. I am really far behind him at the moment. Hopefully as and when I get my chances I can utilise them as well. Even I am in the playing XI and it is always a great learning experience for me. But I am working pretty hard to hone my skills.

Q: Somerset is doing well in the county circuit is also a big encouragement for youngsters like you, we suppose?

Ans: Yes indeed. We are all happy about it. Three to four years ago the situation was different. Since Justin Langer came in as captain and with Andy Hury finetuning our skills, there has been considerable improvement. We hope to continue further. From the bottom of division two, we have made tremendous headway, reaching the semi-finals and finals in some competitions. It is great encouragement for all.

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Q: When did you start playing and did you hear the history of some great players playing for Somerset?

Ans: As far I remember, I started when I was just seven-years-old. I first started playing for clubs and schools. I think my grand-father played at the highest level for the country. Yes before I started playing, I heard a lot of great cricket names like Viv Richards, Ian Botham and Sunil Gavaskar had played for the club. I was not even born when they had retired. But I have heard a lot and it was always great to watch them on television.

Q: How often do you happen to meet players like Botham?

Ans: Not very often I am afraid. They all remain busy with their media commitments. But it is always a treat to watch them on television.

Q: You must have heard of England's wicket-keeping history.

Ans: If not you don't deserve to be a cricketer, specially a keeper. Allan Knot, Taylor and French were really great. I suppose even Australia enjoy a great history of having produced so many quality wicket-keepers. The ones like Adam Gilchrist, who is my all-time favourite and Healy were superb.

I try and take things from their game. Since I concentrate more on batting I like people like Gilchrist.

Q: Finally, tell us can we expect you to play for England and what format of cricket suits you more?

Ans: Why not. I am working hard on the game. So why can't I go on to play for the country. Well my main aim is to play Test and one-day cricket, but T20 I reckon, is  brilliant. I would love to play more of this.

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