The English wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler has been recalled to England’s squad for the first Test against Pakistan at Lord’s, which is scheduled to be taking place next week. However, the Hampshire’s batsman James Vince and all-rounder Moeen Ali couldn’t find a place in the squad whereas opener Mark Stoneman keeps his place.
England;’s new selector, Ed Smith announced a 12-man squad at Lord’s on Wednesday along with fellow selectors Angus Fraser and Mick Newell. Buttler’s return for the Tests is somewhat surprising as he has played just eight first-class matches since the start of 2016 and he is currently playing for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the 11th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and because of IPL he will have little time to acclimatise to red-ball cricket in time for the start of the match at Lord’s.
ALSO READ: DJ Bravo Issues Warning To Jos Buttler
In his Test career, Jos has played just 18 matches with an average of 31.36, yet reached the same heights as his limited-overs exploits where is regarded as one of the best players in the world. He played his last Test for England on the tour to India in 2016 and was overlooked for the Ashes tour and the Test trip to New Zealand this winter. Yet Smith thinks that Buttler, a player capable of such brilliance with the white ball as he has shown of late for RR with consecutive 50+ scores of 94 not out, 95 not out, 82, 51 and 67, has something to offer at Test level.
Talking about him Smith said, “Jos Buttler is an outstanding talent, who is already a central part of England’s white ball teams. 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 number seven. Jos is playing with great confidence and flair, and he will bring unique qualities to the Test team.”
The rest of the English squad is as expected as James Anderson and Stuart Broad will be leading the bowling attack while Mark Wood and Chris Woakes will fight it out for the third seam bowling spot. Somerset seamer Craig Overton and Surrey pacer Tom Curran, both of whom made their Test debuts this winter, have been overlooked.
England’s Full Squad against Pakistan: Mark Stoneman, Alastair Cook, Joe Root (c), Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Dom Bess, Mark Wood
