India v England: Jos Buttler may replace Craig Kieswetter

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Craig Kieswetter and Jos Buttler

England are seriously considering replacing wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter with Jos Buttler for Wednesday's fourth one-day international with India.

Kieswetter, 25, has not missed an ODI since the 2011 World Cup, but his place has been debated for some time.

He got out to poor shots in the second and third one-day internationals, and was bowled for a duck in the latter.

Kieswetter's Somerset team-mate Buttler played in two Twenty20 internationals against India before Christmas.

The 22-year-old, who has less experience with the gloves than Kieswetter, hit an unbeaten 33 in England's five-wicket defeat in Pune on 20 December before hitting 15 not out to help his side to a six-wicket win in Mumbai two days later.

India lead the one-day series 2-1 with two matches remaining, and England's training session on the eve of Wednesday's fourth game in the five-match series saw Buttler put through an extensive keeping drill in Mohali.

The session ended with Buttler donning the gloves in catching practice alongside slips Alastair Cook and James Tredwell.

Spinner Tredwell admits changing wicketkeeper mid-series is not the ideal scenario, but is confident in Buttler's ability, should he get the nod in Mohali.

"I guess as a bowler you do like to have a relationship [with the keeper], that's great, but unfortunately in the cut and thrust of sport you don't often get to do it like that," said the Kent captain.

"Teams do chop and change. We'll see what happens.

"Jos is a talented boy. I've not seen a lot of him keeping but I've seen him with the bat.

"I imagine if he's got anywhere near the talent with the gloves that he does with the bat he'll be fine."

Meanwhile, concerns over Steven Finn's fitness appear to have faded.

The pace bowler was struck on the right index finger in fielding practice on Monday but is expected to be available.

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103 comments

  • Comment posted by Dad of Mad twins, at 11:29 22 Jan 2013

    Unfortunately I think a better question is what has Kieswetter done right lately. Woefully out of form with the bat and does not seem to have the game to adjust to the conditions - 6 or nothing only works for so long.

    Surely better to "rest" him now and give someone else a chance. Still no idea what Prior is doing at home though!

  • Comment posted by U15573695, at 11:51 22 Jan 2013

    @9
    To be fair, if not picking Prior for the ODI squad has helped him with his test form, I'd leave it as it is. The last 2 years for the test team he's been brilliant. Can we get away with doing that with some of the bowlers? Jimmy for example? I'm not so sure, he'd be too big of a loss and you would be relying too much on the younger bowlers.

  • Comment posted by U2218150, at 12:51 22 Jan 2013

    Can we please stop this idea Prior should be in the ODI side. If anyone cares to look at his record in ODIs to call it average would be a compliment. Kieswetter has far better record in ODIs and he isn't the answer, so why anyone of sane mind would think Prior is the answer I don't know.

    Long term for me it will be Bairstow 1st choice with Buttler as specialist batman & reserve in all forms

  • Comment posted by U15481527, at 12:27 22 Jan 2013

    Kieswetter has had a fair run to cement his place and hasn't done so, his keeping is still no where near good enough, can anyone see him progressing into a test match keeper? As for batting, block, block, block, slog. Time for a change.

  • Comment posted by Dom, at 11:46 22 Jan 2013

    Craig Kieswetter is out of form and Jos Buttler is the next option in India.

    Plain and simple!

  • Comment posted by zoot364, at 13:02 22 Jan 2013

    I get the impression Kieswetter's been "found out" a little at international level. It happens to a lot of players after initial success when the opposition have had a chance to analyse the videos. So not a disgrace, but up to him to respond. We won't know if Buttler's any better until he's given a run.

  • Comment posted by Tom_in_Exeter, at 12:41 22 Jan 2013

    I assume that Matt Prior has broken both legs, an arm or two, and is suffering temporary blindness! Otherwise, I can think of no reason why he is not the ODI keeper of choice. I don't usually moan about selectors, they often know more than I do. But this is just absurd - replace a no-hoping keeper with possibly another, when you have probably the best keeper/batsman in the world available!

  • Comment posted by welshwizard5, at 11:36 22 Jan 2013

    England have enough strength in this department to pick players on form rather than persist with someone so obviously out of touch. Saying that, quite why Matt Prior isn't number one I've no idea.

  • Comment posted by U2218150, at 15:13 22 Jan 2013

    #43, as a Som fan I know Kies drops regulation catches. He does also take the spectacular so u know he has the ability. Unfortunately, I think he finds it too easy to hit boundaries at Taunton so hasn't worked on working the field for 1s n 2s, which is crucial top level.

    But given especially in ODIs your keeper has to be able to bat, ignoring Prior's failings with the bat isnt an option

  • Comment posted by devilisindetail, at 14:02 22 Jan 2013

    As a TMS listener, the line that I hear far too often when CK is keeping is:-He really should have taken what was a regulation catch for a keeper.
    So for me averages don't tell the whole story, it's often stats that aren't in averages such as missed/dropped catches and stumpings and too many byes given away etc

  • Comment posted by MoonInUranus, at 13:01 22 Jan 2013

    And yet Patel just keeps rolling on (literally).

  • Comment posted by U11045090, at 12:34 22 Jan 2013

    I am quite a fan of both Kieswetter and Dernbach as I like their attitude but quite frankly neither have done enough to stay in the side any longer. With Dernbach it is a shame as he has been hung out to dry on subcontinental wickets too many times but I think its time for a change. I would bring Buttler and Meaker in for Mohali.

  • Comment posted by sunny jim, at 17:54 22 Jan 2013

    GOOD

  • Comment posted by wilber, at 16:35 22 Jan 2013

    Yes you should try someone when the other person has had so many chances to redeem himself and not delivered. BUT could some cricket expert from wherever please explain to my satisfaction why Prior was dropped from ODIs or did he ask not to be picked ????

  • Comment posted by U12220564, at 15:10 22 Jan 2013

    Where o where is Prior

  • Comment posted by U14526977, at 14:21 22 Jan 2013

    Drops catches, Misses stumping, Bats like he doesn't have a clue. Kieswetter does not deserve to keep his place. Will he join Bopara, Shah, Ramprakash etc. Those with undeniable talent yet don't produce the performances internationally. Buttler has the credentials if his keeping holds up, Morgan, Buttler and Patel could be lethal finishing with the new regulations.

  • Comment posted by Dave Hedgehog, at 14:13 22 Jan 2013

    I can see the argument from both sides.

    On the one side if selected he should be given the series to produce. He isnt likely to bat freely knowing that each game could be his last.

    However it seems that even with two good performances there have been enough poor displays to suggest his days are numbered regardless, so with change enevitable why not get on with now.

  • Comment posted by Bjorntorekvarme-leg-end, at 13:13 22 Jan 2013

    @31 I agree that Prior's form in ODI's have never been anything to right home about. But invariably he was asked to open which I don't think suited him, aslo I think he is a much better player than when he last played ODI's. I think Prior in the middle order would be a much better shout than either Kieswetter or Buttler. I take your point that being rested from ODIs may have helped his game.

  • Comment posted by U1886449, at 12:09 22 Jan 2013

    He's ranked 42nd in the world as an ODI batsman, which is ok, not brilliant, not terrible, sixth best for England. Not a great wicket keeper imo, takes some good catches but misses chances too. No reason not to give Buttler a shot, they don't appear to be too concerned about winning this series if they're resting Swann and Anderson.

  • Comment posted by U15576562, at 11:33 22 Jan 2013

    Its obvious Kieswetter is out of form and there is nothing wrong with having competition for places, although keeper is a key position. Based on Englands current batting woes I'd be looking for someone who can stay in and score steady runs, not sure thats Kieswetter or Buttler but happy to be proved wrong.

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