England’s Jos Buttler has been ruled out of the last and 5th test match of the Ashes 2021-22 series owing to a finger injury. England’s skipper Joe Root confirms the news right after the visitors eked out a thrilling draw in the fourth match in Sydney on Sunday.
Jos Buttler Ruled out of Final Test
England’s middle and lower order players struggle and finally saves England from losing their 4th consecutive test match.
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 currently 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…”
The final test of the Ashes 2021-22 will be played between January 14 – 18 at Bellerive Oval, Hobart. Australia have already won the Ashes 2021-22 series with 3-0 so far with a match to conclude.
