Buttler ready to deliver on the Test stage
● Smith backs recalled player to shine ● Bess included in squad to face Pakistan
Ed Smith insists Jos Buttler will prove the “right player at the right time” on his return to England’s Test team.
Buttler was an unexpected inclusion – for his first Test in almost 18 months against Pakistan at Lord’s next week – in a 12-man squad which also contains uncapped off-spinner Dom Bess.
New selector Smith, who revealed captain Joe Root would move back up to No 3, explained Buttler’s position at seven – two below promoted wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow – completes England’s redeployment of skills.
Opener Mark Stoneman has survived in the first squad of Smith’s tenure, but previous No 3 James Vince’s omission comes despite an unbeaten double-century for Hampshire on the eve of the selection meeting.
Bess’ Tuesday-morning trip to Ikea – replete with fixtures-and-fittings disagreement as he and his girlfriend discussed sofas – received a welcome interruption from Smith. But Vince received a very different phone call, to tell him why he had been dropped.
It is Buttler’s restoration, on the back of a brilliant run of Indian Premier League scores but no first-class cricket over the past eight months, which is most eye-catching.
Smith said: “The way we wanted to structure the side was to get the key run scorers in those positions – Joe at three, Jonny at five.
“Then the opportunity was there, to do something different and exciting and we took it.”
He is prepared to set aside Buttler’s mediocre record in 18 Tests to date. Smith added: “The decision has been made eyes wide open. We feel it’s the right thing, at the right time with the right player.
“It was a very strong feeling that we wanted to invest opportunity in Jos.
“His overall Test record, he averages 31, to some extent, that’s beside the point because he’s evolved since then, he’s become an even better player in the short form of the game. “Overwhelmingly, we felt that a player of his unique gifts… as a destructive batsman, fantastic competitive presence, dynamic athlete, someone who has leadership skills innate in him… who is playing with such confidence and flair, this was the right time.
“It’s the whole package with Jos. What he’s capable of, what the opposition knows he’s capable of.”
Smith will resist any temptation to advise Buttler how to approach Test innings.
“My job is not to tell people how to play but the batting ability he has, not just power but also the touch, the finesse… Jos Buttler playing as he can play in Test cricket, that is something we’re very excited about.”
Smith also welcomed Root’s “excellent move” to volunteer as No 3 again, in the team’s best interests, and added Stoneman “deserves” to stay despite his tough winter.
He will leave the door open to Vince, but said sustained improvement is necessary.
ENGLAND SQUAD (v Pakistan at Lord’s, 24 May): Joe Root (c), Alastair Cook, Mark Stoneman, Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow (wkt), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Dom Bess, Mark Wood, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Chris Woakes.