Buttler sees positives in flexible batting order

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

Despite an impressive 211-run win against Sri Lanka in Galle, England began preparations for tomorrow’s 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’.

“In this part of the world it wouldn’t make much difference what number you bat, the style of cricket is very spin orientated.

“Whether it’s number three or number eight you’re probably going to start against spin.”

Bairstow took a full part in training yesterday, visibly eager to be back among things after sitting out the previous match with ligament damage in his right ankle.

His absence paved the way for Ben Foakes to make a superb debut, in which he scored a century and showed off his impressive wicketkeeping.

Though Bairstow will undoubtedly return to the side, be it this week or at a later date, he may find it harder to wrestle back his role behind the stumps.

Buttler, England’s first-choice limited-overs keeper and Bairstow’s deputy until now, has already started accepting the new pecking order after seeing Foakes in action.

“Foakesy is a fantastic wicketkeeper and probably rightly talked about as the best gloveman in the country,” Buttler told talkSPORT.

“I’m just happy to be in the team right now, whether it’s keeping or not.”

Jos Buttler: Impressed by the wicketkeeping of Ben Foakes.