Rob Key: The two changes England should make for Lord's Ashes Test

The former batsman wants to see Jofra Archer replace James Anderson and a change behind the stumps for the second clash with Australia

Former England batsman Rob Key wants to see Jos Buttler replace Jonny Bairstow as wicketkeeper for the second Ashes Test against Australia at Lord's.

Buttler has kept wicket in half of his 32 outings in the longest form though has not done so since the India series last summer.

Bairstow has assumed the gloves since being recalled against West Indies earlier this year but his form with the bat has suffered, averaging just 13.77 in 2019.

And Key, who played 15 Tests for his country, wants to see the Yorkshireman become a specialist batsman in the team.

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"There are issues in England’s batting and one change I’d make is something I’ve always advocated: swapping Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow," he wrote in his Evening Standard column.

"As long as he feels ready to having not done it for a while in red-ball cricket, I’d have Buttler keep because I feel it would better maximise their talents. 

"The best team England can pick has Bairstow scoring big runs. He works so hard on his keeping but I’d love to see him focus on his batting. Specialism is not such a bad thing, we are always encouraging kids to work on every facet of their game.

"There have been only a handful of great all-rounders for a reason and you cannot fill their team with them."

^{Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow have both worn the gloves the past 12 months}

Jofra Archer is expected to replace the injured James Anderson in the XI for Lord's, while the likes of Jack Leach, Ben Foakes and Dom Sibley have been tipped for call-ups.

But Key feels wholesale changes would be the wrong way to go and has urged captain Joe Root to keep the faith.

"England cricket do not need to panic after their defeat in the First Ashes Test," the ex-Kent man added.

"The reality is that their greatest ever bowler went down four overs in. 

"Root will have a full attack again at Lord’s. [Steve] Smith will have a great battle with Jofra Archer when the bowler makes his debut. 

"He plays short pace bowling very well but Archer will just make him think a little more."