England v India, fourth Test PUT JOS IN FOR KEEPS
CRICKET Nixon: Give Buttler the Test job ... and let Bairstow focus on batting
JOS BUTTLER can become England’s answer to Adam Gilchrist if he is handed the Test wicketkeeping gloves on a full-time basis.
That is the opinion of former England keeper Paul Nixon, who also believes converting Jonny Bairstow into a specialist batsman will help the Yorkshireman fulfil his potential as a world-class run-scorer.
Buttler, England’s one-day keeper, will take Bairstow’s position behind the stumps for the fourth Test against India starting in Southampton on Thursday after his team-mate fractured a finger during England’s defeat at Trent Bridge last week.
Bairstow could still play as a specialist batsman at the Ageas Bowl if he overcomes a late fitness test.
Gloves
And England coach Trevor Bayliss, keen to get Bairstow higher up the order, hinted after that loss in Nottingham that Buttler could take the gloves permanently even after his team-mate regains full fitness.
Bairstow replaced Buttler as England Test keeper in late 2015 and has made big improvements behind the stumps since.
However, Nixon (below) thinks Buttler, recalled into the Test team as a specialist batsman at the start of this summer, has the edge over his rival behind the stumps.
“Jos and Jonny have both grown as keepers over the last couple of years,” he said. “I think they’re very, very close in terms of ability. But I think Jos would just nip it as a keeper.
“If Jonny goes to No.4 and they’re going to use Jos to keep it’s a good option. Absolutely it would help the batting unit.”
Buttler scored his maiden Test hundred at Trent Bridge and Nixon believes it was no coincidence that breakthrough came after he filled in behind the stumps for the injured Bairstow.
He said: “If that’s a good omen that he takes the gloves and does well, the England management will be delighted.
“He’s a special talent and for him now to know he can do it at Test level, on a big stage against a high-class attack, is going to do his confidence the world of good.” Nixon, who played 19 one-day internationals for England, also believes Buttler has the potential to rival Australian great Gilchrist as one of the best wicketkeeper-batsman in history if he is handed the Test gloves full-time.
Positive
“He’s like Gilchrist,” he added. “He has the confidence to go and play his natural, positive game – it’s a delight to watch. I like the way he goes about his business, he’s a great lad and everyone who knows him rates him highly as a special talent. He has special, match-winning ability – the X-factor that Gilchrist had. “His ability is scary if you’re the opposition. Like Gilchrist he can take the game away from you in a session. That’s exactly what England want.” Such is Bairstow’s potential with the bat, Nixon, currently head coach at Leicestershire, believes it would be wise to take him out of the firing line as a keeper to avoid further damage to his fingers. “Jonny’s been England’s best batsman the last few years,” he said. “You don’t want to wreck your fingers for the batting because once you start getting seriously bad hand injuries it affects your confidence massively and your grip. “When top batters start getting finger injuries it’s a concern. “So they have got to be careful with that.”