England coach Trevor Bayliss has hinted at the return of Jos Buttler to the English Test side.

Buttler last played a Test match against India in 2014 and has been mainly used in the shorter formats by the England side. His wicketkeeping duties have since been taken over by Jonny Bairstow, but his form in the ODI series could see him called back into the Test team. Bairstow has also been in good nick with the bat in the longer format – scoring his highest Test score of 167 not out against Sri Lanka in the recently concluded Test series. He has also shown great improvement with the gloves after some shaky displays behind the stumps against South Africa at the beginning of the year. Bayliss has hinted that Buttler will not join the team as the first-choice wicketkeeper but as a specialist batsman.

‘He could play as a bat, I’m sure … he wouldn’t have any problems at all. I think he could handle it. He’s certainly in contention, that’s for sure.’

The recent sabbatical from cricket of Nick Compton seems to have opened up a spot for Buttler for the upcoming series against Pakistan as Joe Root is likely to fill the No 3 berth left vacant by Compton’s departure.

‘Long term, I think Joe Root is our No 3,’ said Bayliss. ‘Rooty would have to want to do it – it’s a big change, and he’s done well at No 4. But my way of thinking is you put your best batter at No 3.

‘There will be an ongoing assessment between now and the Test, giving him every chance to make himself available,’

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