Buttler exits Ashes with broken finger

Scott Bailey | January 9, 2022

England’s titanic effort to draw the SCG Test has come at some cost, with Jos Buttler’s Ashes series declared over after he suffered a broken finger and others battling injury.

Buttler was hurt keeping on day two of the fourth Test when a ball that stayed low struck him on a less-protected area of the glove.

The ‘keeper managed to bat in both of England’s innings, but did not take to the field to keep in Australia’s second dig as Ollie Root took the gloves.

Horribly out of form, Buttler will head home immediately as England sweat on his availability for a future tour of West Indies.

But England were thankful for his effort with the bat in the second innings, as he used up 38 balls before they finished the match nine wickets down.

“It’s quite a bad injury,” captain Joe Root said. 

“It’s a really disappointing shame for him and the team. 

“The way he stood up throughout the game is testament to his character and how much he cares about playing for the team.”

England have already called Sam Billings into the squad, while Pope is another option to be recalled to take the gloves for the final Test in Hobart.

Jonny Bairstow would normally be another option, however he too injured a finger in his first-innings century at the SCG.

It remains unclear whether he will be able to play in Hobart, after he got through 105 balls for England on Sunday.

Allrounder Ben Stokes was also unable to bowl after day two in Sydney, when he suffered a side injury.

The England star looked in discomfort at times during his 123-ball batting effort on day five, proving crucial as the tourists held on to save the match and end any chance of an Australian series whitewash.