In-form England cricketer Jos Buttler will miss the 3rd and final T20I against Australia at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton for family reasons. Buttler, who hit the winning runs in the second T20I left the bio-secure bubble at the Ageas Bowl soon after the game.
Meanwhile, the wicket-keeper batsman has been in excellent form playing a pivotal role in the two games helping England keep up their winning run. Buttler struck an unbeaten 77 as the home side as England secure a convincing win to wrap up the series with one match to go.
Buttler to miss 3rd T20I
Jos Buttler’s absence means Tom Banton will slot back again in the top-order. He batted in the middle-order; however, failed to get into the rhythm. The Kolkata Knight Riders‘ new recruit will look to make the most of the opportunity and make a case for himself.
Buttler will join the squad in Manchester ahead of the three-match ODI series against Australia. However, he will have to test COVID-19 negative before reuniting with the entire squad.
On the other hand, there are also concerns about the availability of skipper Eoin Morgan. He hurt the ring finger on his right hand in the field in Sunday’s win. The World Cup-winning skipper went off after copping the blow in the same finger he had fractured playing for Middlesex in 2018.
Although he returned to the field but with the series in pocket, England will be unlikely to risk him. All-rounder Moeen Ali is likely to stand-up in the absence of Morgan. He led the side during the ODI series against Ireland earlier this summer.
The third and the final T20I of the series is on September 8 (Tuesday) at the Ageas Bowl before the entire team moves to Manchester.
