TAYLOR TO REPLACE ‘STRUGGLING’ BUTTLER
JOS BUTTLER is set to be dropped by England for the third Test against Pakistan, paving the way for James Taylor to return to Tests after a three-year absence. Buttler, who made a total of seven runs in two innings during England’s second Test defeat by Pakistan in Dubai and is without a halfcentury in 12 innings, seems certain to be replaced behind the stumps by Jonny Bairstow. That will free up a middle-order space — probably at five — for Taylor, 25, who made his only two Test appearances against South Africa in August 2012. Back then, his talents were summarily dismissed by Kevin Pietersen, who later wrote that the 5ft 6in Taylor was better suited to being a jockey. For Buttler (right), who briefly lost his one-day place in September against Australia, it will be a chance to refresh body and soul before the limited-overs matches and a long tour of South Africa that follows. ‘It’s no secret he’s been struggling a bit,’ said head coach Trevor Bayliss. ‘It doesn’t mean he’s not trying his guts out but there aren’t too many cricketers who haven’t had a bit of time out of the team. Sometimes it’s a relief for players when it eventually happens.’ Bayliss said Taylor had been chosen for this trip because of his skill against spin, with an accomplished one-day hundred on a turning pitch against Australia at Old Trafford last month earning him selection ahead of Gary Ballance. ‘He’s in good form, he’s playing and preparing well and he’s left no stone unturned,’ said the England coach. ‘If he comes in I’m confident he can do well.’ Meanwhile, Bayliss explained his decision to speak to match referee Andy Pycroft during the Dubai Test after Joe Root — who has again risen to the top of the ICC Test batting rankings — appeared to suggest that Pakistan fast bowler Wahab Riaz had trodden on the ball. ‘I went and saw the match referee and he assured me that the umpires had looked at the ball and there was no damage to it,’ he said. ‘That was the end of it. Whenever there’s feet and boot involved with the ball, it’s probably just a bit silly. You’re probably best off keeping your feet out of it and then there’s no issue.’ England must decide on the balance of their attack for Sunday’s third Test in Sharjah. Bayliss admitted he had previously earmarked the game as a chance to play three spinners, which would have meant a Test comeback for leftarmer Samit Patel. But England’s seamers have outperformed their spinners, conceding 2.51 an over compared with 4.24 by Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid. With that in mind, Taylor for Buttler is likely to be the only change as England try to level the series. They have not been helped by Shane Warne’s suggestion that he would like to work ahead of the game with Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah, who claimed eight wickets in the Dubai Test. Warne is in Dubai until Friday, having launched an Icons of Cricket golf event, and said: ‘If I can find some time this week, I’d love to go down and have a bowl with him. I think he’s a fantastic, wonderful bowler.’