England wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler is looking forward to starting this month’s ODI series against Sri Lanka as favourites.

The English have not won a bilateral ODI series in Sri Lanka in a decade, but are currently the number one-ranked team in the intermediate format of the international game. The eighth-placed Sri Lankans are seven positions inferior.

‘I like being favourites – it shows we’ve been doing good stuff. It’s been tricky in the past for England sides to come here. But we are full of confidence, we look forward to adapting our play,’ said Buttler.

‘There’s always pressure being number one once you get there. I think that’s when the hard work really starts. You’ve got a bit of a target on your back. It’s down to you to keep improving and try to stay there.

‘That’s the challenge and it has its own pressures. I think in the dressing room we have a good understanding of what that is and who we are as a side, and know that we need to keep improving and pushing the boundaries, and putting no limitations on what we’re capable of.

The hard-hitting Buttler played for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League earlier this year – and referenced that experience amid England’s rain-affected preparation for the five ODIs against Sri Lanka.

‘A lot of the squad have been a part of the IPL and experienced that. Not just for the conditions, but touring this part of the world and the chaos that comes with the IPL – stuff like weather and not allowing it to impact your performance and preparation,’ he added.

‘Guys have travelled the world a bit as well. Hopefully, you’ll see some return on investment on guys that have been part of that competition.’

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