JOS BUTTLER apologised for his foul-mouthed outburst in the Second Test and revealed why the red mist descended.
Wicketkeeper Buttler said he knows players should act as role models even in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of a thrilling Test match.
Jos Buttler has apologised for his X-rated rant against Vernon Philander
He admitted he lost his cool during Englands 189-run win in Cape Town after Vernon Philander obscured his view of a throw from Joe Root at mid-off and the ball struck him.
Buttler was heard on the stump mic calling Philander a f*****g k**bhead and that the ball couldnt get past that f*****g gut.
Normally regarded as a placid and mild-mannered character, Buttler was fined 15 per cent of his match fee around 2,400 for a level one (the lowest) offence.
He said yesterday: I fully understand that as role models we have a duty to behave in a certain way.
Id like to apologise, I understand you cant get away with using language like that. I take the slap on the wrists and move on.
Its just one of those things, the heat of the moment and a bit of red mist.
Its all done so hopefully it can be swept under the carpet and we move on. Ill wash my mouth out with soap.
I played with Vern at Somerset. I think it was one of those moments.
The ball hit me and I lost my head for 20 seconds.
Its easy to say being vocal is the way to do things but actions speak as loudly.
One of the great things in our win last game was we hunted as a team.
The number of young guys under 24 they were great at creating energy around the bat and putting pressure on the opposition. Theres more than one way to do it, it doesnt have to be vocally.
Buttler was heard on the stump mic calling Philander a ‘f*****g k**bhead’
Buttler and Philander played together at Somerset in 2012 and the South African all-rounder is returning to Taunton this summer.
Buttler does not expect any lingering animosity and, while he has yet to speak to Philander, he says he will say sorry if he sees him during the build-up to the Third Test on Thursday.
Language in other sports such as football is more X-rated than in cricket but they do not have stumps mics beaming most words within a ten-metre radius into living rooms.
Some cricketers keep their distance from the mics so their sledging and abuse goes unheard by the public.
But many like Buttler simply cannot help themselves. Buttler added: In Test cricket, there are lots of high emotions and things can be said that dont necessarily mean anything but, for viewers at home, can come across very poorly.
Its a tough one we understand stump mics and being able to hear what goes on adds to the viewing experience but we also like that what goes on the field can stay on the field.
As players, wed probably like them to be turned off.
Buttler was more emotionally drained than most after the World Cup triumph in July and it is perhaps only now that he is fully refreshed and refocused.
He said: Id say the World Cup took a lot out of me. Its more the mental side, isnt it, but there are plenty more things to be excited about.
Look at the consistency of the top players, thats where you aspire to get.
Its important to try to digest the World Cup, leave it behind and look for the next thing on the horizon. There are plenty of those.
Having nine days between Tests (a mini-holiday was built into the schedule) gives us a mental break.
With the illness and stuff, it was quite chaotic at the start of the tour.
Its nice to be able to reflect on the Newlands game and let what we did well sink in as a lot of the time you are just rolling into another game and you forget about the previous match.
