Buttler replaces Duckett in England’s rejigged order

The tourists will also miss the services of paceman Stuart Broad and left-arm spinner Zafar Ansari through injuries as they press for a series-levelling victory at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium. “Jos is an extremely talented cricketer,” Cook told reporters, confirming Buttler will bat at number seven, while all-rounder Moeen Ali would come at four, ahead of wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow. Buttler played the last of his 15 tests against Pakistan last year but Cook was confident the 26-year-old would overcome a lack of preparation and replicate his limited overs form in test cricket. “He’s up there in top three-four short form players in the world. We’re dealing with a very talented guy,” Cook said. “He has earned an opportunity to come and play here. It’s clearly not ideal because of circumstances and he hasn’t played a lot of redball cricket but sometimes when the pressure’s off and you just go out and play, you can do something special.” Duckett’s scores of 13, five and zero in his three innings in India underline his struggle against the spin with the promising 22-year-old claimed by Ravichandran Ashwin on all three occasions.