Jos Buttler may face censure over the content of the coarse personal message he writes on his bat handle.

Buttler, England‘s man of the match in their series-levelling innings win over Pakistan at Headingley, has penned the words ‘F*** it’ at the top of each bat he uses in the middle.

He explains that it is his way of dealing with the ups and downs of his sport at the highest level.

But after television cameras focused on his bat following his unbeaten 80 as England moved towards victory in the second Test, beaming the footage around the world on Sunday, Buttler may be in trouble with the International Cricket Council.

There is precedent for ICC sanctions against players for contravening the world governing body’s clothing and equipment rules and regulations.

They read as follows: “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 further action is taken in this instance will depend on umpires deciding to lay a charge, and then on the response of ICC match referee Jeff Crowe.

Buttler, who has spoken previously about his reasons for needing a ‘message to self’, explained after this weekend’s victory why he believes it helps him.

“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,” he said.

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

“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.”