Ashes 2021-22: Jos Buttler ruled out of the fifth Test due to finger injury, confirms Joe Root

England batted valiantly on Day 5 of the fourth Ashes Test and managed a draw. It was indeed a fascinating contest as Australia were cruising towards another emphatic win. However, veteran pacers James Anderson and Stuart Broad survived the last two overs as the hosts couldn’t take the last wicket. As the visitors suffered humiliating defeats in the previous three games, they would be pretty pleased with the drawn result.

However, England suffered a major blow in the game as wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler won’t be available for the final Ashes Test, which gets underway in Hobart next week. The same was confirmed by England skipper Joe Root in the post-match press conference. Notably, Buttler sustained a finger injury while keeping in Australia’s first innings. Although he batted in both innings, he won’t be able to play the final game.

Real disappointment to not have Jos Buttler in Hobart: Joe Root

“Jos Buttler is going home after this game, it’s quite a bad injury. Real disappointment and shame to not have him at Hobart. The way he stood up for the team shows his character,” confirmed Root after the game. It must be noted that Buttler might not be England’s only loss for the final game. Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow, who did well in the fourth game, also sustained injuries and are all but likely to warm the benches in Hobart.

Root also addressed the same. “Bairstow and Stokes were outstanding. Number of guys have had difficult injuries,” he said. Meanwhile, Root also said this drawn result was important for England as they had lost the first three games. He also hailed his teammates for showcasing immense character at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

“It was really important (to play this sort of a gem). Has been a difficult tour. Tough at times but one thing I am proud of is the determination and character of the team and find way to get a draw out of this game. I said after the last game try and put some pride in the badge and give something for the blokes back home to take,” added the England skipper further.