On Wednesday, England Captain Joe Root confirms that Jos Butler is back into training for the 5th Test which will be played in Manchester. Root also confirmed that he’ll be back as vice-captain of the team.
Jos Butler missed the 4th Test as her wife was expecting 2nd child where Jonny Bairstow took up the wicketkeeping duty and Ali was chosen as a vice-captain. “He is the vice-captain of this team. He is a senior player and he is integral to what we are about,” Root said on Wednesday.
England might drop either Bairstow or Ollie Pope to chip in Jos Butler. “He [Jos Buttler] is the vice-captain of this team. He is a senior player and he is integral to what we are about. I know his output in terms of runs in this series has not been as high as he would like or as we would like but we know what a great player he is and how important he can be to turning a Test match and that is the reason behind it,” Root said.
Root is expecting Jos Butler to pick up his scoring and get some runs. He’ll be back with the wicket-keeping duty too.
“I think Jonny knew exactly what the scenario was when he was given that opportunity to keep wicket last week. Whenever there is change within Test cricket, people are left out or moved around, it is part and parcel of playing at the highest level. He has been a big part of what we have been about as a squad for a long time now and will understand it. So, as I say Jos is the vice-captain, he will come back in and I expect him to perform.” Root added.
Joe Root Confirms Moeen Ali As Their First Choice Spinner
Root also mentioned that Moen Ali is his first-choice wicketkeeper ahead of Jack Leach. He’s expecting that there might be a spin in Manchester and can opt. for 2 spinners. Jack Leach is back into the squad and we can expect him for the final Test match of the series.
“I’ve not seen the pitch as yet but what you can get sometimes here at Old Trafford, it can spin and that can be an option we have to look at with two spinners. He [Leach] has done some fine things for England, you look at how he has performed this winter and even before that as well. We all know what he is capable of and we know he is a fine player. I am sure that in himself should give him a huge amount of confidence.” Root added with reference to Moeen Ali.
