Getting Jos back is right by Root
ENGLAND captain Joe Root believes Jos Buttler’s recall to the Test side is a “step in the right direction”. Buttler’s return to the fray headlined new national selector Ed Smith’s first squad for the Test series against Pakistan, starting at Lord’s next week. Buttler, who averages just over 30 in 18 Tests, is set to make his first five-day appearance since December 2016 after impressing in the Indian Premier League for Rajasthan Royals, where he hit scores of 39, 94 not out, 95 not out, 82 and 51 in his last five innings. And Root feels Buttler’s explosive batting will make a big difference at number seven. “I think Jos is a fantastic player,” said Root, speaking at the launch of England’s new limitedovers kits in London.
“He has done some great stuff in the recent past in the IPL and in the one-day team and he brings a different dynamic to the team moving forward in that No 7 role.
“He can go and express himself at seven and Jonny Bairstow will move up to No 5.
“He has had a fantastic winter, it’s a bit more responsibility given to him, which excites me, and it is a step in the right direction for this side.”
Root will also move up to No 3, in the absence of James Vince, who has been left out of the squad. He has had 31 innings in that position, including his Test best of 254 two years ago, also against Pakistan. “I am excited, I have had a bit of experience there a couple of summers ago against Pakistan and flirted with it in the winter in New Zealand,” said Root. “I am excited for that challenge, taking that responsibility, leading from the front and getting out there as soon as possible, try to make those starts really count and kick on from those 50s and 60s I have been getting and get really big hundreds.” During a disappointing winter, when Root’s side were humiliated to varying degrees in Australia and New Zealand, the form of Bairstow was a big positive and he has been rewarded with a promotion back to five.
The Yorkshireman has been up and down the order in recent times as England searched for a winning line-up, but is hoping to get a long run in this position.
“I’m delighted to go to five, it’s something that I do for Yorkshire and something I have done all the way through,” said Bairstow.
“I have batted at five for England as well. It is an enjoyable position to bat in and it is an opportunity to go out and express myself. Hopefully it goes all right.
“As long as I am playing I don’t mind where I am batting, I have been asked to do a job at five and as long as I can go out and score lots of runs it’s not going to affect my keeping.”