The ECB is eyeing a potential resumption of cricket in July, when West Indies are scheduled to visit for a three-Test series, as the UK government comes up with plans to reopen the sporting sector in a phased manner.

In keeping with the government’s guidelines for professional athletes to return to training, the ECB will give players the option to opt out at any point they don’t feel comfortable playing, until the pandemic settles down.

“I think that’s been made clear from Ash [Ashley Giles, the managing director of England men’s cricket] and [medical officers] Gurj [Bhogal] and Nick Pierce, who have all been great at communicating with us, that the safety of the players is going to be paramount to any cricket being played, and if you don’t feel comfortable, then that is your own decision,” Buttler said.

“I think it’d be very fair to say that if someone had reservations about playing, or didn’t feel comfortable for certain reasons, be that affecting their family or however that looks, I think in these times that wouldn’t be held against you.

“I’ve got complete faith in the medical team, they’ve been brilliant about discussing everything with us as players and giving us clear information about how they look to implement things to get back to playing.”

Buttler went on to note that lots of players might have apprehensions and that they are free to approach the team management to address any concerns they may have, even if it’s to do with playing behind closed doors.

“I’m sure they’ve been having discussions,” Buttler said. “Individually, it’ll look different for each and every player, and I’m sure all those voices will be heard. I think it would be completely natural to have some apprehension and anxiety about it and lots of questions to ask. I’m sure no player would be under pressure to do something they didn’t want to do.

“I know that’s been made clear to England players – if you feel uncomfortable about anything, you can speak to the doctors, speak to Ash, and you’re not being forced into anything you don’t want to do. So, ultimately, it’ll come down to you as a player, and of course, they’ll be having those discussions about what it looks like to them as a side.”