England swap keepers for rest of ODI series

England have decided to rest wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler for the final three games of the five-match one-day international series against Australia.

Yorkshire’s Jonny Bairstow has been named as Buttler’s replacement.

“While we initially felt Jos would have enough left in the tank for this ODI series, it has become clear in the last couple of days that he will benefit from a break from cricket ahead of the winter tours,” England coach Trevor Bayliss said.

“We know that for players involved in all formats finding periods throughout the year when they can rest is key and Jos has had a heavy workload throughout 2015.

“Resting players provide opportunities for others in the international arena and Jonny Bairstow now has a chance to build on the one day form he showed at the end of the New Zealand series earlier this summer.” 

Watch: Australia go two-nil up at Lord's

It’s no surprise Buttler needs a rest, having missed only two matches for England this season, with Bairstow keeping wicket on both occasions.

In total, the 24-year-old has played 16 matches for England this northern summer, totally 35 days of international cricket, not to mention his county responsibilities for Lancashire.

Buttler had a poor maiden Ashes series with the bat, scoring 122 runs at 15.25 in eight innings, but was tidy behind the stumps in England’s 3-2 series win.

After scores of 11, four and zero in his last three starts for the Three Lions, the decision was made to rest the explosive right-hander ahead of England’s Test tour to the UAE against Pakistan next month.

Bairstow comes in to the series with England 2-0 down and one loss away from surrendering the trophy.

But Bairstow can draw on his inspirational knock against New Zealand in the series-deciding match in Durham where he scored 83 not out from 60 balls to guide England to a three-wicket Duckworth-Lewis win.

Bairstow’s first assignment will be on Tuesday for the third ODI against Australia in Manchester.