Wicketkeeper-batsman has left England's bio-secure bubble to be with his family
Monday 7 September 2020 12:56, UK
Jos Buttler will miss England's final T20 international against Australia at The Ageas Bowl on Tuesday after being given permission to see his family.
The wicketkeeper-batsman left England's bio-secure bubble on Sunday evening, after playing a starring role in the team's victory over Australia in the second T20 international in Southampton.
Having featured in all six Test matches this summer prior to rejoining the white-ball side for the ongoing series, Buttler has been inside the team bubble for the last 10 weeks and not seen his family in that time.
Subject to testing, Buttler will return to the bio-secure bubble on Thursday ahead of the first of three one-day internationals against Australia at Emirates Old Trafford on Friday.
Buttler scored 77 not out from 54 deliveries on Sunday and shared a second-wicket partnership of 87 with Dawid Malan (42) as England topped Australia's 157-7 with seven deliveries to spare.
"It's the best seat in the house," said Malan of batting with Buttler, who sealed England's victory with a six off Australia leg-spinner Adam Zampa.
"You watch these guys on TV a lot when you are not a regular and you see the ball-striking capability but when you are at the other end, you see how hard and how clean he hits the ball.
"He hit one [on Sunday] that was like an absolute tracer bullet and I hardly saw it from two or three yards away. It's fantastic to be there and watch how guys go about their work.
"Even though I am 33 years old and have played 200 game of T20, you are still a bit in awe of how guys like that play."
Australia spinner Ashton Agar said of Buttler: "He is a gun, an incredible player.
"He can hit all around the ground, sweep, reverse, over the covers. He is difficult to bowl to and is often there at the end winning games for England.
"He is probably their best batter in white-ball cricket at the moment so it's an advantage for us with him not playing but England have a deep squad.
"Whoever comes in and fills his position will still be very good and present a big challenge, even though it is difficult to replicate Jos Buttler."
Sam Billings could come in as a like-for-like replacement for Buttler as wicketkeeper-batsman but it seems more likely that Jonny Bairstow will regain the gloves in Buttler's absence.
Billings, therefore, seems to be competing with Joe Denly and Liam Livingstone - the latter with the squad as a reserve - for a batting berth.
Tom Banton looks favourite to replace Buttler as Bairstow's opening partner with Malan telling reporters on Monday that he expects to remain at No 3.
Watch the third and final T20 international between England and Australia live on Sky Sports Cricket from 5.30pm on Tuesday, with the ODI series getting underway from 12.30pm on Friday on the same channel.
