Having previously talked-up James Taylor’s chances of selection for the third Test against Pakistan, Trevor Bayliss has dropped his biggest hint yet that Jos Buttler could be the man to miss out.

The Lancashire wicketkeeper has averaged 13 with the bat since the start of the Investec Ashes and is likely to relinquish the gloves to Jonny Bairstow; a move that would represent a show of mercy according to Bayliss.

"It's no secret that he has obviously been struggling a little bit," the Head Coach said.

"It doesn't mean that he's not trying his guts out and I'm convinced he will do well over a number of years.

“But as we all know there aren't too many cricketers who have ever played the game who haven't had a bit of time out of the team.

“But we haven't made the decision yet, we will sit down in the next couple of days and discuss all of those points.

"My experience with players in the past is that sometimes it does become a bit of a relief, that they are able to go about their business without the pressure of having to perform in the next match or to worry about whether they're in or whether they're out.

"Sometimes it can be that relief that allows them to put everything else out of their mind and just concentrate on getting back in the team.”

With One-Day International and Twenty20 cricket to follow against Pakistan in the UAE, Buttler’s white ball form is paramount to England’s chances of success. Bayliss is confident that the 25-year-old will make a swift return to form.

"What starts to creep in with anyone out of form, whether batter, bowler of fielder is that the mind starts to become cluttered and then a few little technique-type things start to creep in as well," Bayliss said.

"You have got be able to free the mind up to just go out there and concentrate on the ball. He's certainly doing everything possible away from the game to get himself back into form so I'm hopeful it's not too long before he is back into form because he is one hell of a player and very important for us going forward."

In the meantime, England must win the final Test in Sharjah which commences on Sunday and - despite having not kept wicket in a match situation since the second warm-up match - Bayliss insists the Yorkshireman is ready.

"Every practice we have been to Jonny has been keeping," he said.

"We said that to him at the start of the series, that everyone has to have every part of their game up to scratch.

“Certainly part of his game is that he is a keeper and from that point of view he had to keep working on his keeping just in case of injury, loss of form, he had to be ready to go."

 

England are returning to the scene of their Ashes triumph in 2016 for Royal London One-Day Internationals against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Don't miss the opportunity to watch some of the best players in the world go toe-to-toe in the unique surroundings of Trent Bridge and secure your seats now.