Jos Buttler ruled out of final Test with hand injury

Buttler will fly home after being injured while keeping wicket in Australia's first innings of the fourth Test

Jos Buttler's Ashes tour is over as a result of the hand injury he sustained in the Sydney Test.

Buttler sustained the injury while keeping on the second day of the fourth Test. He subsequently underwent an x-ray after which it was decided he should return to England ahead of the final Test in Hobart.

With Jonny Bairstow, who sustained an impact injury to his right thumb while batting, also an injury doubt for Hobart, England have called-up Sam Billings for the final Test.

Billings, the Kent keeper, has been playing for Sydney Thunder in the BBL. Ollie Pope kept wicket as a substitute in Australia's second-innings in Sydney and claimed a record-equalling four catches.

"It's quite a serious injury," said Joe Root. "For him to front up from the moment he took that knock shows how much he cares and how much it means for him to play for England."

The injury completes a miserable tour for Buttler. As well as struggling with the bat – he averaged 15.28 – he missed several relatively straightforward chances with the gloves.

^{Sam Billings has been called up ahead of the final Test (Chris Hyde/Getty Images)}

For reasons of both fitness and form, he must be considered a doubt for England’s Test tour of the Caribbean. Indeed, after 57 Tests and a career-average of 31.94, it is entirely possible he has played his final Test.

While Ben Stokes was clearly uncomfortable while batting in Sydney - he suffered a left side strain during Australia's first innings - he will travel to Hobart and is expected to play as a specialist batter.

Bairstow is also expected to travel to Hobart, and the pair will be assessed over the coming days before a decision is made on their fitness for the final Test of the series.

Meanwhile, England head coach Chris Silverwood has been cleared to rejoin the touring party in Hobart, having recovered from Covid. Jon Lewis, the bowling coach, is already at the team hotel in Hobart having recovered from the virus.

Our coverage of the Ashes is brought to you in association with Cricket 22

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