One of England’s most successful opening batsmen, Geoffrey Boycott has recommended against the inclusion of Jos Buttler in the Test squad in light of his recent shortcomings. During the ongoing Ashes series, Buttler has to struggle with the bat as well as the gloves. The English player averages 16 in four Test matches and seven innings, with his best being 39. With the gloves on, he took some crucial catches in Adelaide, which ultimately proved crucial in England’s defeat.
In his column for The Telegraph, Boycott said England should not pick Butler on the basis of his white-ball reputation. The 81-year-old further referred to the batsman-wicketkeeper’s inability to perform under pressure, and that he has just 2 tons to his name in 57 Tests. “England cannot be emotional or be swayed by their stellar performances in one-day cricket. The fact is that he is not doing enough to retain his Test spot,” the 108-Test veteran reflected.
He said that Buttler’s average of 19 in 14 Tests is not enough. Boycott sees a better glovesman in Jonny Bairstow. Not only does he feel that Bairstow is better behind the stumps than Buttler but also a better batsman against quality bowlers. Buttler will be ruled out of the final Test in Hobart due to a finger injury, according to England captain Joe Root. In a time of uncertainty under Bairstow, England may have to rely on gloves like Ollie Pope or Sam Billings.
Boycott also criticized England for intermittent top-order collapses. “England or any other country cannot win a Test match if they put down three or four wickets for next to nothing; They were 36-4 in the first innings, and throughout the series, it has been like that,” Boycott said.
On Day 5 of the Fourth Test, England batted 102 overs to prevent them from going 4–0 down in the series. The last surviving pair of James Anderson and Stuart Broad pulled off two overs to dodge the hosts. The final Test begins in Hobart on Friday, January 14.
Tags: Ashes 2021, Jos Buttler, Joe Root
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2022/01/09/jos-buttler- should-not-play-another-test-joe-root- should-bat/
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