England has dropped wicketkeeper Jos Buttler and replaced him with James Taylor for its must-win third test against Pakistan which starts Sunday in Sharjah.
The 25-year-old Buttler has struggled with batting, averaging 8.5 runs from his last four innings. Jonny Bairstow takes over the gloves.
England captain Alastair Cook says “telling him (Buttler) was part of the job that is not much fun.”
Middle-order batsman Taylor has two England caps but last played a test match three years ago against South Africa.
Fast bowler Mark Wood will be rested due to an ongoing ankle problem with Liam Plunkett his likely replacement unless England opts for Samit Patel as a third spinner .
England lost the second test in Dubai by 178 runs and trails the three-test series 1-0.
