England announced their squad for the fourth Test match against India which is to be played at The Oval beginning on Thursday (Sep 02). They made two changes to their squad adding Chris Woakes and Sam Billings to the 15-member squad while releasing Saqib Mahmood (to play in County) and Jos Buttler.
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| England players celebrating a wicket against India (Image Credits: The Guardian) |
Buttler kept the wickets in the first 3 Test matches against India in the ongoing 5-match Test series. Scoring just 72 runs in 5 innings at an average of just 14.40, Buttler doesn't look comfortable whenever he came out to bat. Though the batting figures are too low, this England wicket-keeper had done amazing glovework behind the stumps, taking 18 catches which include 5 catches alone in the first innings of the Headingly Test match.
However, Buttler had to leave the Test squad because his wife is expecting their second child. Young Sam Billings has been added to the squad as a reserve keeper but it will not be him who will keep wickets in the fourth Test match. According to ECB, Jonny Bairstow will do this job at The Oval. In the presence of Buttler in this series so far, Bairstow had played as a pure batsman.
Reflecting on the squad changes, England head coach Chris Silverwood said:
We would like to wish Jos Buttler and his family all the very best for the impending birth of their second child. Unfortunately, he will miss this Test, and we’ll then see if he returns for the final Test at Emirates Old Trafford.
Jonny Bairstow will take over wicketkeeping duties, which he is relishing. As we all know, he has the skills to seamlessly take over from Jos and the ability to score crucial runs in the middle-order if called upon.
Jonny Bairstow last kept wickets in a Test in the Ashes at home in 2019. Since then, he was either dropped from the playing XI or played as a pure batsman if picked. With an average of over 37, Bairstow is averaging more with the bat as a wicket-keeper than a pure batsman (27.41). This opportunity might be a blessing in disguise for Bairstow who will be eager to prove his wicket-keeping abilities once again!
Sam Billings made his international debut in the year 2015 and has represented England in 57 matches so far. However, he is yet to make his Test debut. With Dan Lawrence too present in the squad, it would be tough for Billings to make his Test debut in the fourth Test match. Safe to say, Billings is going to warm the bench in the remaining two India Tests.
The first Test match at Trent Bridge was drawn while India won the second Test match at Lord's. England made a brilliant comeback winning the third Test match at Headingly and square the series 1-1. The fourth Test match will be played at The Oval beginning on Thursday (Sep 02).
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