Jos Buttler is irreplaceable and England should take no risks with his fitness, says Matt Prior

Matt Prior believes “X-factor cricketer” Jos Buttler is irreplaceable and has urged England to avoid taking risks which could aggravate his injury.

Star batsman Buttler is ‘responding well to treatment’ on a heavily-bruised right hip but remains a doubt for Friday’s World Cup clash with the West Indies.

The wicketkeeper-batsman sustained the problem while batting during Saturday’s 106-run victory over Bangladesh and did not re-emerge after the break.


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Prior, who performed a similar role for England between 2007 and 2014, has urged caution to prevent Buttler suffering further damage and potentially being ruled out of the latter stages of the tournament.

“He’s probably one of the best that’s ever played one-day cricket. He would be a huge loss,” Prior told Press Association Sport at the Chance to Shine schools’ open day, supported by Yorkshire Tea.

“It would be like saying to India: ‘Could you replace Virat Kohli?’.

“You can’t replace Jos Buttler, but hopefully the injury isn’t too bad and he can recover quickly and go back to smashing the ball all over the place.

“If there is risk that playing the next game might scupper his chances for playing later in the tournament, I wouldn’t take that risk.

“I think it’s about nullifying the risk of him not being involved in those knockout stages.”

Buttler was left visibly hobbling against Bangladesh after launching one of four sixes during a lively cameo of 64. He has scored 185 runs in 136 balls in his three World Cup knocks so far, including 103 against Pakistan.

South African-born Prior, who was speaking at Lord’s, added: “Whenever he walks out to bat you just think, ‘what’s going to happen today?’.

“How many balls is he going to score a hundred off this game? What ridiculous shot is he going to come out with?

“And he’s just an X-factor cricketer. He’s a phenomenal talent and it’s incredible to have him in an England shirt.”

Jonny Bairstow deputised with the gloves and would happily do so again should the 28-year-old Buttler not be passed fit, while James Vince or Moeen Ali would vie for his place in the XI.

Adil Rashid was sole spinner against Bangladesh in a rapid attack headlined by Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, who both hit 95mph, and is happy living life in the slow lane.

“It’s the first time in a long time that we have the bowlers who can bowl 90mph-plus and it’s nice knowing that,” said Rashid.

“The batsmen think, ‘maybe we’ve got to target the spinner here’ so that can work in my favour. They can come hard at the spinner and as a result you get a wicket some days or you get a five-for.

“It’s nice to have that pace, knowing we can rough teams up and then for me to come in. Hopefully someone comes after you and the wickets come for me that way.”

England will renew their battle with Chris Gayle at the Ageas Bowl, the veteran Jamaican who hit a record 39 sixes against them in their recent one-day series in the Caribbean.

Rashid added: “Chris Gayle is in his own league, whatever, but it’s good to have Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow at the top of the order.

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