Jimmy will return soon, says Buttler

JOS Buttler has backed James Anderson to play a big role in the Ashes – and beyond – despite England’s decision to stand their record wicket-taker down from the first Test as a fitness precaution.

Although passed fit, Anderson was absent from the tourists’ 12-man squad for the curtainraiser at The Gabba.

He will spend the next five days fine-tuning his skills in the nets while the two old rivals look to bring the best of each other in Brisbane.

Head coach Chris Silverwood and captain Joe Root have thrown their faith behind Surrey’s Ollie Pope, handing him the number five batting slot ahead of the more experienced Jonny Bairstow.

The decision to shelve Anderson, the most prolific seamer in history, was met with surprise in Australia – but with five Tests squeezed into the next six weeks the veteran was always unlikely to be an ever-present.

Instead he is gearing towards the next game – a day/night clash in Adelaide where England hope he can make the pink Kookaburra talk under the lights.

Memories of the 2019 Ashes – when he broke down on the first morning and was not seen again – also played their part.

However, Buttler made it clear Anderson was still going to be a big factor Down Under and is not giving any indication his long and illustrious career is winding down.

He said: “Jimmy is not going to play but he is fit. It is just precautionary.

“It is a very long series and we want a guy like that to be available to play as much of a part as possible.

“Jimmy has been bowling well – I faced him in the nets and that has been a great challenge going into a Test match.

“It seems age is just a number for Jimmy at the minute.

“He is in fantastic shape, his skills are brilliant as always and he still seems to be trying to improve and learn new things.

“That hunger does not seem to be wavering at all, he still gets just as grumpy if he bowls a bad ball and his competitiveness is incredibly high in anything he does, let alone on a cricket field.

“I see him wanting to continue as long as he can and there does not feel like there is anything in the way of him doing that at the moment.”