ENG vs IND: Buttler to resume vice-captaincy as Root confirms return for Manchester Test

England skipper Joe Root has confirmed Jos Buttler’s return to the team for the fifth and final Test at Manchester’s Old Trafford, set to start from September 10. Buttler missed The Oval fixture due to his paternity leave, with Moeen Ali deputizing in his absence and Jonny Bairstow taking the duties with gloves.

Root, however, stated that Buttler would resume both the duties, which leaves England in a situation to drop either Bairstow or Ollie Pope, who scored 81 in the first innings at The Oval. “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.

“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.”

Moeen Ali is our first spinner: Joe Root

England have also recalled spinner Jack Leach, who was dropped from the squad after the second Test at Lord’s. Though, Root had no qualms in terming Moeen Ali as the “first spinner”.

“I’d say that Moeen Ali is our first spinner, yes,” Root said. “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.”

Regarding the workload management of pacers James Anderson and Ollie Robinson, who both have been a part of all four encounters hitherto, Root stated that “we will weigh up over the next couple of days.”

“These two days are really important for recovery and making sure that they are in a position to play Test cricket,” he added.

“One thing you have to do is trust the medical advice that’s been given, speak to the guys that understand the science behind this. The players know their own bodies better than anyone else. You never want to go into a Test match playing someone under risk of injury. You want to do the best thing for the player but also you don’t want to go into a Test match and someone go down injured and you have got one less bowler at your disposal.”