As the focus swings towards the red ball and the Test series against Pakistan, Trevor Bayliss has given an indication of how the England selectors may be thinking of reshuffling their batting lineup, most of which is more pleasing to the ears of Jos Buttler than those of Scott Borthwick. With Nick Compton out of contention, now he is taking a self-imposed break from cricket, Borthwick has been widely touted as his replacement.
Having seen England wrap up the ODI series against Sri Lanka in Cardiff on Saturday however, Bayliss was happy to outline other possibilities, in particular Buttler, who has not taken guard against a red ball since 26 October.
“It will be an interesting selection meeting,” Bayliss said. “He’s [Buttler] certainly in contention. We’ve spoken before about Buttler, Jason Roy and Ben Stokes playing as a batter – he made 250 just a few Tests ago – so they all have to be in contention.”
The England coach does not think the lack of red-ball cricket would be a bar to Buttler’s recall. “Personally I think he’d be better in Test cricket if he played like he does in the white-ball game. That could be devastating at six or seven. He certainly looks like he has a lot of confidence at the moment.
“In this ODI series he has probably been more consistent than ever before. The way he has struck the ball, the way he has carried himself; his keeping was pretty good as well – he’s certainly in contention. The break hasn’t done him any harm. I’m sure he’d love to be in the Test team and I’m sure he’ll play a lot more Test cricket.”
Bayliss also had encouraging words for Stokes, who is playing for Durham as a specialist batsman in the four-day game against Hampshire at the Riverside. “From my point of view he’s in contention for a batting spot if he’s fit and he might, depending how he’s gone in the nets, be able to bowl some short spells. He has to be discussed.”
The other issue regarding the batting is the thorny position of No3. In Australia this tends to be occupied by the man deemed to be the best batsman. That has not been the case so often in England but it is no great surprise when Bayliss says: “Long term I think [Joe] Root is our No3.”
The short-term plan may be different. “Root would have to want to do it,” he said. “It’s a big change and he’s done well at four. My way of thinking is that you put your best batter at No3. From what I’ve seen of James Vince I think he could handle No3 also. In a way he’s a similar style of player to Rooty, a classical player, plays nice and straight.”
It sounds as if Borthwick could do with some major runs at the Riverside.
