Injured Buttler to fly home, Root proud of Ashes team character
England’s middle order together with stubborn tail-enders hang in on the final day of the Test amid the drama for a thrilling draw
09 January 2022 - 18:14
by Amlan Chakraborty
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England's Jos Buttler and Joe Root leave the field after Australia declared on day two of the Ashes fourth Test, at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Australia, January 6 2022. Picture: DAN HIMBRECHTS/AAP/REUTERS
New Delhi — England’s Jos Buttler will miss the fifth and final Ashes Test against Australia in Hobart with a finger injury, skipper Joe Root said after the visitors eked out a thrilling draw in the fourth match in Sydney on Sunday.
England’s bruised middle order and their obdurate tail-enders combined to bat out the final day of the Test amid nerve-racking drama to deny Australia their fourth consecutive victory in the series.
All-rounder Ben Stokes, who has a side strain, and centurion Jonny Bairstow, who injured a thumb during the match, are also doubtful for the Hobart Test beginning on Friday.
“We’ll have to make some further assessments but Jos Buttler’s going to have to fly home and won’t take any further part on the tour,” Root told a news conference.
“That’s quite a serious injury and for him to front up as he did from the moment he took that knock shows how much he cares, shows how much it means for him to play in this team and play for England.”
The team later said in a statement that both Stokes, who managed two half-centuries in the match despite the pain, and Bairstow, whose 113 is the only hundred by an Englishman so far in the series, would travel to Hobart where they would be assessed.
England have added Sam Billings to their squad and the 30-year-old is isolating in the team hotel.
Head coach Chris Silverwood and bowling coach Jon Lewis will also reunite with the squad having both recovered from Covid-19.
Root said he felt an “overwhelming” sense of pride at the result that followed heavy losses in Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne.
“I think a lot of the guys could see a number of players hurting physically and still putting in a huge amount and, in many ways, it lifted the rest of the group,” said Root.
“It’s a small step forward ... to be able to sit here having drawn [the match] was always going to take a good performance and I’m really proud of the way the guys dug in and managed to do that.
“Clearly a lot of emotion knocking around, a big sense of pride. It’s an overwhelming feeling at the moment.”
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Injured Buttler to fly home, Root proud of Ashes team character
England’s middle order together with stubborn tail-enders hang in on the final day of the Test amid the drama for a thrilling draw
New Delhi — England’s Jos Buttler will miss the fifth and final Ashes Test against Australia in Hobart with a finger injury, skipper Joe Root said after the visitors eked out a thrilling draw in the fourth match in Sydney on Sunday.
England’s bruised middle order and their obdurate tail-enders combined to bat out the final day of the Test amid nerve-racking drama to deny Australia their fourth consecutive victory in the series.
All-rounder Ben Stokes, who has a side strain, and centurion Jonny Bairstow, who injured a thumb during the match, are also doubtful for the Hobart Test beginning on Friday.
“We’ll have to make some further assessments but Jos Buttler’s going to have to fly home and won’t take any further part on the tour,” Root told a news conference.
“That’s quite a serious injury and for him to front up as he did from the moment he took that knock shows how much he cares, shows how much it means for him to play in this team and play for England.”
The team later said in a statement that both Stokes, who managed two half-centuries in the match despite the pain, and Bairstow, whose 113 is the only hundred by an Englishman so far in the series, would travel to Hobart where they would be assessed.
England have added Sam Billings to their squad and the 30-year-old is isolating in the team hotel.
Head coach Chris Silverwood and bowling coach Jon Lewis will also reunite with the squad having both recovered from Covid-19.
Root said he felt an “overwhelming” sense of pride at the result that followed heavy losses in Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne.
“I think a lot of the guys could see a number of players hurting physically and still putting in a huge amount and, in many ways, it lifted the rest of the group,” said Root.
“It’s a small step forward ... to be able to sit here having drawn [the match] was always going to take a good performance and I’m really proud of the way the guys dug in and managed to do that.
“Clearly a lot of emotion knocking around, a big sense of pride. It’s an overwhelming feeling at the moment.”
Reuters
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