Buttler gets recall by England for 1st Pakistan Test
Waugh steps down as Australia selector
LONDON, May 15, (Agencies): Jos Buttler has been recalled to England’s Test squad after a 17-month absence for the first Test against Pakistan, despite having not played red-ball cricket since last year.
Butter is set to be a specialist batsman, with Jonny Bairstow also included in a 12-man group and expected to play as wicketkeeper.
Dom Bess, a 20-year-old offspinner, was handed his first call-up by England after a thumb injury ruled out Jack Leach, with Moeen Ali continuing to be overlooked. Bess has played only 16 first-class matches.
It is the latest chapter in a turbulent Test career for limited-overs specialist Buttler, who has played 18 times since his debut against India in July 2014. His last Test appearance was also against India, in December 2016. He has been in good form in the Indian Premier League with the Rajasthan Royals.
“The selection panel feels that this is the perfect moment to reintroduce Jos to Test cricket, where he has already enjoyed some success, including a stint playing as a specialist batsman at No. 7,” said national selector Ed Smith, who was picking his first squad.
“Jos is playing with great confidence and flair, and he will bring unique qualities to the Test team.”
Former Test batsman Mark Waugh will step down as a national selector at the end of August, Cricket Australia said on Tuesday.
After four years on the selectors’ panel, Waugh had elected not to continue in the role when his contract expires Aug 31, CA said in a statement.
Waugh, who recently accepted a new TV commentary role with a local broadcaster, will finish up following the tours of England and Zimbabwe.
“We’re disappointed to lose Mark, but wish him all the best in his new role and we are pleased he will still have heavy involvement in the game,” CA high performance boss Pat Howard said.
Waugh, who played 128 Tests and 244 ODIs for Australia, specialised in selecting for limited overs cricket, with a particular focus on the Twenty20 team.
His resignation will force another personnel change in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa, which saw head coach Darren Lehmann quit a year before his contract’s expiry, despite being cleared of wrongdoing.
Justin Langer replaced Lehmann earlier this month and is expected to fill his predecessor’s role on the selectors’ panel which is chaired by Trevor Hohns.
Cameron Bancroft has been cleared to play club cricket in Western Australia while serving his ban for ball-tampering in South Africa, as he looks for redemption over a scandal that tarnished his name.
The 25-year-old opening batsman was suspended for nine months from state and international cricket over a plot to try and alter the ball with sandpaper during the third Test in Cape Town in March.