England’s Jos Buttler could land in big trouble for having written vulgar words on the bottom of his bat’s handle.

Jos Buttler was the star of England’s win by an innings and 55 runs against Pakistan at Headingley. He scored an unbeaten 80 to claim the Man-of-the-Match award, reports dnaindia.com.

However, it was Buttler’s cricket bat that made more news. Buttler had written some ‘vulgar words’ on the bottom of his bat’s handle.

During a break in play, television cameras highlighted the words ‘F*** it’ written on the top of his bat handle.

Buttler explained it as a way of reminding himself not to get too wrapped up in the pressure of top-level sport. But the International Cricket Council may take a different view.

Buttler is running the risk of action by world cricket’s governing body as a result of the crude words he wrote on his bat’s handle.

The ICC’s clothing and equipment rules and regulations state: ‘Players and team officials shall not be permitted to wear, display or otherwise convey messages through arm bands or other items affixed to clothing or equipment unless approved in advance by both the player or team official’s board and the ICC Cricket Operations Department... the ICC shall have the final say in determining whether any such message is approved.’

Whether they do so now will depend on whether the umpires decide to charge Buttler and, in turn, how match referee Jeff Crowe responds.

Buttler, explaining why he marks the top of all his bats in this way, said: ‘I think it’s just something that reminds me of what my best mindset is — when I’m playing cricket, and probably in life as well.

‘It puts cricket in perspective. When you ‘nick off’, does it really matter?’

The 27-year-old added: ‘It’s just a good reminder when I’m in the middle, when I’m questioning myself, and it brings me back to a good place.’

Buttler was recalled for the Pakistan series after 18 months out of the Test side by England’s new national selector, Ed Smith.