The Ashes | Jos Buttler to fly home post finger injury, debut opportunity for Sam Billings in Hobart

England wicketkeeper batter Jos Buttler has been ruled out of the Hobart Test after he suffered a finger injury in the fourth Test of the ongoing Ashes at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The 31-year-old was struck while keeping in the very first innings itself. 

England have added Sam Billings to their squad who was plying his trade for Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League and was supposed to return back to England to be part of the side that would tour West Indies in late January. But post the Test call up, he made a 500-mile drive from the Gold Coast to Sydney in order to link up with the England squad.

Captain Joe Root, while speaking about Buttler’s injury in the post-match interview after the dramatic draw at SCG, said, “For him to front up from the moment he took that knock shows how much he cares, how much it means to play in this team and play for England.”

Though Buttler is ruled out, England might be facing more challenges as Ben Stokes and centurion from this Test, Jonny Bairstow is also nursing injuries. The Hobart Test, which will be last in the Ashes which is being led by Australia 3-0, will begin from next Friday, January 14th.