English wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler is set for a surprise call-up into the test team, as per the latest reports.
Daily Telegraph reports that the right-hander would be making it to the final England squad for the upcoming Test matches against Pakistan.
The 27-year old had last played a test match for England 18 months ago.
Buttler played in India during the 2016-17 season and has lost his place to Jonny Bairstow. However, the decision to pick might not impact the selection of Bairstow.
Bairstow has made the position of wicketkeeper-batsman his own since his arrival.
Bairstow has been prolific with the bat and was very good with the gloves as well. There is no scope that the selectors would drop Bairstow for the upcoming series.
However, the selection of Buttler would definitely help the team to strengthen their middle order. His selection could also relieve Bairstow from ‘keeping duties and concentrate solely only on his batting.
It will be interesting to see how the squad will look when selectors meet to announce the final team at 3:00 PM BST.
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Jos Buttler Continues His Brilliant IPL Form:
One of the major factors for selectors to back Buttler is his spectacular form in the ongoing IPL season. He has been stupendous with the bat and became only the second batsman in the history of IPL to score five consecutive fifties in five matches.
Buttler’s rise in form has helped Rajasthan Royals (RR) win crucial games and stay in the playoffs race. The team has just two more games and if they can win both the games then there is a very good chance that they will qualify for the playoff rounds.
Jos Buttler, who has amassed over 500 runs in current IPL, would once again be the key for the team going into the two crucial games.
If Rajasthan Royals manage to qualify for the playoffs then the major credit should go to Jos Buttler for his heroics over the past couple of weeks.