Jos Buttler breaks left thumb, faces fitness race for ODI series against Pakistan

England limited-overs specialist, Jos Buttler, has injured his left thumb during a Natwest T20 Blast contest on Friday. Representing Lancashire, the 25-year-old was taken for an X-Ray as soon as the cricket match against Worcestershire ended and faces a race against time to regain full fitness before the limited overs duels with Pakistan.

Buttler was donning the gloves when he received a blow on his thumb off a delivery from Luis Reece. However, the right-hander opened the batting despite the obvious discomfort and smashed a 22-ball 57 which helped his side chase down 199 within 19 overs.

Former national spinner and Lancashire Coach Ashley Giles had admitted, “We'll get it X-rayed and see where he is. It's not ideal. I don't want to speculate. But it's a nasty knock. Once we get it X-rayed, we'll know.”

Telegraph reported that Buttler will seek medical opinion to ascertain the severity of his injury and the hard-hitter is likely to be ruled out of wicket-keeping duties for up to six weeks.

The positive news for England supporters is the lack of necessity for an operation on his thumb which would have extended the recuperation period and prevented him from taking part in the rest of the summer.

Though he was not named in the squad for the Lord’s Test, Buttler remains a viable backup option for the wicket-keeper batsman’s slot due to his aggressive stroke-play and improvement behind the stumps as well.

But, the injury should effectively put a full stop to his aspirations of reclaiming a Test spot in the remainder of the Pakistan series. With the first ODI scheduled to begin at the Rose Bowl on August 24, England would want their talisman to be available as a wicket-keeper batsman to maintain flexibility in the playing eleven.