By Ali Martin in Dubai/The Guardian
Jos Buttler looks likely to be stood down for Sunday’s crucial third Test in Sharjah, with England’s head coach Trevor Bayliss conceding the break could come as a relief for his struggling wicketkeeper.
Buttler’s form sits high on the list of concerns for Alastair Cook’s side after Monday’s 178-run defeat in Dubai, having scored only 34 runs in four innings against Pakistan this series and appearing low on confidence behind the stumps.
With the regular Yorkshire wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow already in the team, dropping Buttler could allow James Taylor, selected for the tour for his prowess against spin, to bolster a middle order that collapsed so dramatically on the third morning.
Bayliss maintains the XI for the third Test has yet to be discussed with Cook; his honest appraisal of Buttler’s batting performances suggests at least one change is in the offing, however.
“It’s no secret that he has obviously been struggling a little bit,” said the Australian. “There aren’t many cricketers who haven’t had a bit of time out of the team. Sometimes that’s a relief when it eventually happens; it allows them to put everything else out of their mind and just concentrate on getting back in the team. [Cook and I] will sit down in the next couple of days and discuss all of those points.”
Asked why Buttler is in such a funk, Bayliss replied: “If I knew that, I’d be able to click my fingers and he’d be right. Sometimes players can think about things too much. I think he’s probably the only one who can answer that honestly from within.”
On Taylor’s chances of a first Test since 2012, he added: “The reserves have netted most games and the reports from the coaches are that he’s in good form, he’s playing well, and has left no stone unturned. If he comes in I’m confident he can do well.”
With a drawn series still possible, Bayliss claims he and Cook will select predominantly on short-term considerations rather than with a view to December’s tour of South Africa. As such, Moeen Ali is assured at least one more Test as an opener.Asked if he had regrets about Moeen’s promotion from No8, Bayliss replied: “Not really. You have to give some of these things a try and make a decision down the line about whether it has been a success or not. My philosophy has always been I would like to give somebody one too many goes rather than one too few – then you find out one way or another.”
Moeen, who scored only two runs in Dubai after a watchful 34 in Abu Dhabi, has been told, like the rest of the order, to give himself a chance before playing attacking shots such as the expansive drive that had him caught at slip in England’s second innings.
“It’s a different situation from No8 – you have fresh bowlers with a nice, fresh ball. His own approach is a positive one but you have to be more selective early-on and get yourself in those first 20 or 30 balls, before it becomes easier.”
Bayliss revealed his plan for the Sharjah Test at the start of the tour was to play three spinners, with both Pakistan and New Zealand doing so when they met here last November. The left-armer Samit Patel, whose last Test came in India during 2012, sits in reserve.
However, the success of England’s four-man seam attack, taking 20 wickets at 30 runs apiece, compared to Pakistan’s ease against Moeen and Adil Rashid, who have taken 13 at an average of 56, looks set to prompt a rethink.
Riaz in clear for allegedly treading on the ball in Dubai
Wahab Riaz will face no disciplinary action from the ICC after the England batsman Joe Root appeared to accuse the Pakistan fast bowler of treading on the ball during the second Test.
Riaz was shown kicking the ball during the evening session of the fourth day by the TV cameras with Root, who was batting at the time, making a gesture to suggest he had, in fact, stamped on it. Scuffing the ball can enhance reverse swing, but no footage has emerged to suggest the bowler had done so deliberately. As such, the ICC match referee Andy Pycroft has not included it in his match report and no further action will be taken.
England’s Jos Buttler. (Reuters)
