Ollie Pope
Ollie Pope. Credit: Getty Images

England wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler has suffered a back spasm during the training ahead of the second Test and is unlikely to start the match in Hamilton. As a result, England, who are 0-1 down in the series are keeping young Ollie Pope ready to don the wicket-keeping gloves if Buttler finally fails to make it to the playing XI which starts November 29.

The visitors are currently a match down in the series, and this setback will pile up more problems for the Joe Root & Co. Not only they will miss a wicket-keeper, but Jos Buttler is also valuable to the side with the bat as well. When he gets going, it is difficult to stop him, and England will desperately want him to attain fitness before the Test that starts tomorrow.

Jos Buttler Doubtful For The 2nd Test, Ollie Pope Likely To Keep Wickets
Jos Buttler. Credit: Getty Images

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Jos Buttler doubtful for 2nd Test

Root has already confirmed that Ollie Pope will keep the wickets if Butter fails to make it for the game. However, he has kept in just five first-class matches, the last of which was in February. Pope enjoyed an extended session with Bruce French, England’s keeping coach, at training on Thursday. If he keeps wickets, Pope is likely to bat down the order at No 7.

“Jos has tweaked his back in the gym,” Root said. “We’ll have to find out a little bit more information on that throughout today and see where he’s at. We knew that this was a possibility when we selected the squad. “I’m quite happy that Popey’s got the capability of doing a good job for us,” he added.

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Meanwhile, England have hinted more changes in the playing XI with Joe Root suggesting that Chris Woakes might walk back into the first team. Not only could he come into the side instead of Buttler, but England are also understood to be considering dropping their spinner, Jack Leach, and utilising a five-person seam attack. They are likely to go all out to level the series in Hamilton.

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