‘We have to make sure we look after him,’ says head coachButtler’s return means Bairstow or Pope face being axedEngland’s head coach, Chris Silverwood, has called on his team to learn from India’s clinical displays in their Test series after a gruelling and morale-sapping 157-run defeat in the fourth game left them 2-1 down with one to play.
England went into the final day at the Oval on 77 without loss, chasing 368 to win on a flat pitch, only to be routed after lunch as India’s bowlers turned on the style. “Monday in particular showed why they are arguably the No 1 team in the world,” Silverwood said. “It was an outstanding bowling performance. It seems they get half an opportunity and they push the door open and go for it. I’m watching that, hoping to learn from that, and hopefully it’s something we can instil into our team over a period of time.”