JEEPERS KEEPERS
Buttler’s exit after first India Test may leave England short
EnGLAnd’S decision to give key players rest periods this year was thrown into question yesterday when it emerged that Jos buttler will miss three Tests against India.
A 16-man squad was named for the first two of the four Tests, but it was revealed buttler will only play in the opening game in Chennai before heading home.
That provides ben Foakes with an overdue chance to display his wicketkeeping skills in three Tests, but with Jonny bairstow also rested for the first two, england are leaving themselves short of cover in a position where they have an abundance of riches.
Only the uncapped James bracey will be on hand to back up Foakes with the gloves for the second Test in Chennai, before bairstow returns to the subcontinent along with Mark Wood and Sam Curran, also rested.
To be fair, the selectors face an unenviable juggling act as they try to protect their best players during a year when they will play 17 Tests and contest a Twenty20 World Cup while dealing with the mental challenges of living in bio-secure bubbles for weeks on end.
And they would not have to come up with elaborate rest plans if england’s best cricketers took a break during April and May’s Indian Premier League. but the ECB seem to believe there is nothing they can do to stop contracted players cashing in there.
Yet the timing of bairstow’s rest period, after his return to the Test team for the first time in a year with a vital contribution to the first Test victory against Sri Lanka, does seem strange.
And it will be awkward for the selectors if, say, bairstow makes a big century in today’s second Test at no3, then jumps straight on a plane home while england head to Chennai.
‘I spoke at length to Jonny and he completely understands and endorses this,’ insisted national selector ed Smith yesterday. ‘Whenever you rest, there’s a downside, because every player wants to play for england.
‘but it just felt the right time for Jonny to take his break because he’s a key part of the white-ball set-up as we build towards the T20 World Cup in the autumn.’
At least england welcome back ben Stokes, Jofra Archer and rory burns for the formidable task that awaits them in India, while Ollie Pope will be added to the squad once he has recovered from shoulder surgery.
but it is england’s move to break up their red-ball visit to Sri Lanka and India this winter into three chunks of two Tests that will cause debate, particularly if they struggle against India.
‘The concept of a tour has to be modernised,’ said Smith. ‘We need to be nimble and, if we have to break up a tour so we can get people in and out for their own and england’s good, we’ll do it.
‘This is a policy we really believe in and we’ve had incredible support from the players. If you keep everyone in a bubble for three months and expect them to play every game in every format, they won’t perform at their best.’ lFOrMer seamer Craig Wright has been appointed Scotland men’s assistant coach.
The 46-year-old captained his country during a lengthy playing career where he played 20 one-day internationals and appeared at the 2007 World Cup plus two Twenty20 World Cups.
Wright will support head coach Shane burger after the departure of Grant Morgan last year and is also set to take on a role as national fast bowling lead within Cricket Scotland where he will work with seamers of all ages.