England great Michael Atherton has questioned Jos Buttler’s mindset after his disastrous dismissal on day one of the Boxing Day Test.
Already five wickets down, Buttler and Jonny Bairstow were the last chance for the tourists to make a substantial partnership and avoid another embarrassing batting performance.
However, the last over before tea saw Buttler attempt to go aerial off the bowling of Nathan Lyon, spooning the easiest of catches to Scott Boland at deep square leg.
He was gone for just three runs, and with his brain fade coming at such a crucial time – not just in the match but the context of the series – Atherton found the whole ordeal “distressing”.
“Ben Stokes is the official vice-captain, (but) Jos Buttler would be the next most senior player, somebody that Root leans on very heavily,” Atherton told SEN Test Cricket.
“The Root, Buttler, Stokes axis is really at the heart of this team, that’s the leadership team within the group.
“So, to see one of those players get out in that fashion, having played with such courage and conviction on that last day in Adelaide where he was really playing against his better nature...
“To see him get out like that was quite distressing, he would have felt that last night and he’s had a difficult tour with his keeping and dropping catches.
“So when the senior players start to show some frailty, that’s dangerous.”
Root and Stokes will also be disappointed in their dismissals on day one. The English captain hung his bat out and nicked a Mitchell Starc ball he could easily have left, while Stokes cut a Cameron Green delivery straight to Nathan Lyon at point.
England were bowled out for 185 from just 65 overs, gifting Australia over an hour at the crease late in the day.
They’ll resume day two at 1-61, with play beginning at 11am local time after the tourists were forced to test and isolate before the day’s play.