Jos Buttler

“We all make worse decisions when we are tired but being fit keeps your mind sharp and gives you the confidence to handle anything the world throws at you.”

“It was a relief to get dropped which is sad in a way because you never want to miss a game. But I was not performing and mentally I got to a stage where I was not concentrating and did not want to be there. I was not enjoying walking out there and feeling like I didn't know where the next run was coming from.”

“For me, a circuit might involve a warm-up, then one minute on the treadmill or the indoor bike followed by a series of 20-second efforts with burpees, tuck jumps, press-ups and standing rows. I might repeat that 3-4 times.”

“When Mahela Jayawardene was with us before the Test series against Pakistan he said it should all be about enjoying your talent and skill. He took his bat out there to score runs and enjoy playing the game.”

“Cricket takes so long. There's a lot of airtime to fill. Guys have to talk about someone's technique for half an hour.”

“I had a fantastic couple of years with Mumbai but I am now excited about the challenge with Rajasthan. It will be great to play alongside Ben Stokes, while any time you get to play in the IPL it is a fantastic experience.”

“Running is a good example of the link between fitness and psychology. I have found an easy way to enjoy running by focusing on 5k runs - they are long enough to get your heart going but not so long that you get bored.”

“T20 in international cricket can almost be paid lip-service at times, with one game tagged on to the end of an ODI series or a long tour - sometimes it can feel like there is no point in playing it.”

“One of the things I have been getting into is meditation. Sometimes it is just 5-10 minutes per day, lying on my bed and listening to a meditation app on my phone to try to calm my mind.”

“When there is change, there are always sceptics who think it won't work. I am sure someone at some point thought the iPhone wouldn't take off.”

“It's really important to have your escape away from cricket, whatever that is for the individual. I enjoy my time away from the game, that really refreshes me and lets me get excited for when I do go back in and play.”

“I've always been a bit shy, especially in new situations. But I have that other side in me too. Cricket demands that you grow up fast. Playing in domestic tournaments as an overseas player, you're expected to score runs and bring a lot to the group. And I expect that of myself.”

“We all have our food weaknesses and mine is snacking. I have a sweet tooth and I love chocolate. But I have learned that if you plan ahead you can get round that. I always carry a few chocolate-flavoured protein bars when I'm travelling.”

“We hear about the importance of strong core muscles all the time, but it never quite hits home until you stop and think what the muscles around your stomach and lower back really do.”

“There's always going to be pressure on your place. It's 11 cricketers. There's always going to be other cricketers outside the team doing well.”

“One of the things that I like to pride myself on is being the guy who sees the game through till the end.”

“I have a more personal insight into the importance of core strength because my wife Louise runs a Pilates studio in London. I have enjoyed getting into Pilates. I am not the most supple but I enjoy Pilates more than yoga.”

“As a batsman, when you know a guy can hit you in the head, you're pretty reluctant to think about any other ball.”

“Your core holds you upright; it helps you bend and twist and jump; it helps you transfer power through your body; and it strengthens your posture, whether you are batting, sitting at a desk or running around a park.”

“Keeping wicket is the worst place to be when out of form. You can't hide at fine leg where you might touch the ball once every 10 overs. Behind the wicket you are involved every ball.”