Buttler happy to bat at three for England

Incumbent No.3 Moeen Ali was dismissed for a golden duck in the first innings and then for 3 in second innings of England's first Test victories while Buttler was able to make two useful scores of 38 and 35

Jos Buttler has said that he will be happy to bat at No.3 for England should England decide to drop Moeen Ali down the order for their second Test against Sri Lanka on Wednesday.

Ali was dismissed for a golden duck in the first innings and then for 3 in second innings of England's first Test victory by 211 runs. Buttler, on the other hand, was able to make two useful scores of 38 and 35.

Since coming back into the side for England's series against Pakistan in May 2018, Buttler has confounded all his critics by scoring 583 runs at an average of 44.84, along with his maiden Test century.

Though he has never batted at three at Test level, nor regularly at first-class level, Buttler has no fear about moving up the order as he feels that the type of bowling faced is likely to be very similar throughout the order.

“In this part of the world it wouldn't make much difference what number you bat,” he said. “The style of cricket is very spin orientated.

^{Jos Buttler scored 38 and 35 in the first Test}

“Whether it's number three or number eight you're probably going to start against spin.

“That adaptability that Trevor Bayliss and Joe Root talked about, being flexible with the order is a big strength. It's been a strength of the one-day side for a while now.

“Just because it's Test cricket, there's not many egos in the side that need those defined roles of 'this is where I'm going to bat'.

“I'm happy to bat wherever for the team and it is down to me to be prepared to bat wherever. I'm just happy to be in the team, it's just a short while ago Test cricket was a mile away for me.”