NZ vs ENG | Jos Buttler injury doubt for Test series finale, Ollie Pope to don gloves
Joe Root has confirmed, on Thursday, that Ollie Pope would keep wickets if Jos Buttler doesn't recover in time and is ruled out of the second Test in Hamilton. Further, Zak Crawley is reported to be the replacement to the injured Buttler with the visitors looking to tie the series at 1-1.
EnglandĀ are dealt with a big blow ahead of the series finale in Hamilton, with Jos Buttler in serious doubt for the game. Joe Root confirmed on Thursday that Ollie Pope would don the gloves in the absence of Buttler who tweaked his back in the gym.Ā
"Jos has tweaked his back in the gym. We'll have to find out a little bit more information on that throughout today and see where he's at," said Root as per ESPNCricinfo.com.Ā
While England were feeling confident with as many as two injuries to the Kiwi players, they have been dealt with one of their own, of multitudes. Pope, who was a feature in the playing XI in Englandās innings defeat against the Kiwis, last kept in a first-class game back in February. Further, the right-handed batsman would be played at No.7 if he plays in a specialist keeper role.Ā
"We knew that this was a possibility when we selected the squad. I'm quite happy that Popey's got the capability of doing a good job for us,ā added Root.Ā
Further, the replacement for Buttler, according to multiple reports could be Kentās in-form opener Zak Crawley. Crawley, who has been in red-hot form in the county earlier this season is expected to take Buttlerās place in the playing XI. Root also hinted that Chris Woakes could take the place of Jack Leach, whose performance in the opener was disappointing.Ā
"There's a number of different combinations we could go with and I think a lot of that will rely on the surface," he concluded.Ā