Buttler serves up batting praise

JOS Buttler believes the flexibility of England’s batting line-up is a sign of strength rather than a result of indecision.

Despite an impressive 211-run win against Sri Lanka in Galle, England began preparations for the second Test in Kandy with a handful of selection posers to answer.

Chief among them is the identity of their number three batsman, a key position England have resolutely failed to nail down in the past couple of years.

Moeen Ali filled in during the first Test but looks a long shot to do so again after failing in each innings, head coach Trevor Bayliss subsequently suggesting Buttler had been pencilled in for the job if England had bowled first and Moeen was fatigued.

Bayliss went on to suggest Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes and captain Joe Root were also in the conversation for number three, a curiously wide cast list but one Buttler insists can be viewed as a positive.

“The adaptability that Trevor and Joe have talked about, being flexible with the order, is a big strength and it’s been a strength of our one-day side for a while now,” he told BBC’s Test Match Special after a draining workout at Pallekele Stadium.

“Just because it’s Test match cricket there’s not many egos in the side that need those defined roles of ‘this is where I’m going to bat.’

“Of course you need a good balance to be settled but it shows a good team environment. In this part of the world it wouldn’t make much difference what number you bat, the style of cricket is very spin orientated.”