Root backs Buttler as England jet to Sri Lanka
AS Joe Root prepares to kick off a bumper 2021 for English cricket he has made it clear there is nobody he would rather have behind the stumps than Jos Buttler.
England’s Test squad departed for Sri Lanka on Saturday after a fully clear round of Covid-19 screening and once a mandatory fortnight of quarantine and acclimatisation is ticked off in Hambantota, it is straight into a pair of Test matches in Galle.
It was that very ground where Ben Foakes made his international debut in 2018, taming the turning track to post an accomplished century in his first Test innings followed by a rapid 37 to help set up a declaration.
The Surrey man was equally impressive with the gloves, marking his introduction with two catches, a stumping and a run out, before going on to win both players of the match and player of the series.
Yet as far as Root is concerned, there is simply no vacancy.
Buttler played some of his best cricket in England whites in the team’s previous series against Pakistan, with a nerveless 75 helping reel in a seemingly doomed chase at Emirates Old Trafford followed by a wonderful 152 at the Ageas Bowl.
“When it comes to the selections of the teams, we’ll look at the conditions, consider everything and make a call when we’re out there,” said Root, before dropping a fairly liberal hint that some names were already inked in.
“What I will say is we’ve got Jos Buttler coming off the back of a 150 and in probably some of the best form you’ve seen him in Test cricket. As far as I’m concerned, it will have to be a really unique situation for that to change.”