Warne backing Buttler to be England Test skipper

SHANE Warne believes England should replace Joe Root with Lancashire’s Jos Buttler as Test captain - to allow Root to become the world’s best batsman.

Australia spin great Warne thinks the Yorkshire star could dominate the global game with the bat and feels Buttler would make a ‘very, very good’ Test captain.

Warne worked with Buttler in his role as mentor for IPL outfit Rajasthan Royals and is convinced the Lancashire keeper has credible Test leadership skills.

“I’ve worked with Jos a bit this year, and I think he’s someone who would make an excellent captain,” said Warne, of Buttler.

“I think Joe Root is England’s best player. But he’ll be disappointed with his conversion rate when it comes to hundreds.

“He’d love to have more hundreds to be able to be spoken about in the same sentences as Virat Kohli and Steve Smith.

“Maybe England could think about their best player having the shackles off, not having the responsibility of captaincy, and give it to someone like Jos Buttler.

“Jos could play with his freedom and captain the side, and Joe could just concentrate on his cricket.”

Warne added: “If he totally 100 per cent concentrates on his cricket, his batting and nothing else, then maybe we might see Joe Root become the best batsman in the world. He’s got the talent to do it.”