'The message to Jos is to play his way, to play with confidence and flair': Smith explains Buttler recall

Jos Buttler, who last played in the format for his country in December 2016 and has played only a small amount of red-ball cricket since, has been summoned into the Test squad for the clash at Lord’s, starting on Thursday, May 24

^{Jos Buttler is back in the England Test team}

England national selector Ed Smith has urged Jos Buttler to play his natural game when he returns to the Test arena against Pakistan next week.

Buttler, who last played in the format for his country in December 2016 and has played only a small amount of red-ball cricket since, has been summoned into the Test squad for the clash at Lord’s, starting on Thursday, May 24.

The Lancashire man will bat at No.7, with Jonny Bairstow jumping up to five, and Smith is keen to see him stick to the core principles which have made him one of the best one-day batsmen in the world.

“He’ll bring a new flavour to the batting order, batting at seven,” Smith said. “A dynamic, unique player.

“With Ben Stokes and established and outstanding No.6 and also balancing the team as a fifth bowler, that created the possibility for a different look at the No.7 position. Who could do that job in a way that was unique, in a way that really brought a different dimension to the whole batting order?

“The panel decided that Jos Buttler fitted that bill perfectly.

^{James Vince has been dropped}

“The message to Jos from everyone around the table was to play his way, to play with the confidence and flair that he’s capable of batting with, and the skill.

“He’s become such a complete cricketer in the white-ball form of the game and we felt it was the perfect opportunity to reintroduce him to Test cricket and for him to play his full, expressive way in the Test arena as well.”

With the rejigging of the order there was always going to be at least one batting casualty from England’s winter in Australia and New Zealand, and that has turned out to be James Vince.

The Hampshire batsman was dropped from the squad the day after scoring an unbeaten double century at Somerset, an innings which represented his longest ever stay at the crease in terms of both balls faced and minutes.

“He can play. Anyone can see him play well for England knows James Vince can look fantastic and play handsomely and look the part,” Smith told Test Match Special.

“His whole cricketing career - not just his England career - he has not had the return that his ability demands.

^{Ed Smith made his first picks as national selector}

“The way to look at that 200 is that’s the type of innings we want you to play more often.

“That’s the type of innings we’re looking for. The selection panel does not think James Vince has played enough of them.”

Smith was asked whether selection depended on players performing in Division One of the County Championship, though both Dawid Malan and Mark Wood have been playing in the second tier this season.

“Are we just picking from the first division? No,” said Smith. “We’re always looking at situations in context.

“We are very open to looking at second division cricketers. I have a completely open mind.

“We’ll look at the cricketers, I’ll be out and about in county cricket. We’ll look at all of it and make fair and balanced decisions.”

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