England have already begun planning around managing the workload of their all-format stars through the winter, with the news emerging that Jos Buttler could rest at least two of the four Tests in India in early 2021. This, after it was confirmed that Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer will skip the two-Test trip to Sri Lanka.
In Buttler's absence, Ben Foakes, who is back-up for the series in Sri Lanka, is set to perform the wicketkeeping duties against India. Even though Jonny Bairstow has been handed a recall for the Test side to face the Lankans, he has returned as a specialist batsman.
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Bairstow is set to bat in the top 5 with Rory Burns, Ollie Pope also unavailable, besides Stokes. While Burns will miss the series due to birth of his first child, Pope is recovering from an injury.
"I think there will be opportunity for Ben Foakes at some point this winter," national selector Ed Smith was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. "Jos Buttler is certain to have a rest at some point, so that then will create or open up opportunities elsewhere. We've very fortunate in English cricket to have such strong depth in that area, and we'll try to deploy those resources intelligently and to the best use of the team."
"[Foakes] spent the whole summer in the bubble, and I think there's a real understanding that he's a very good cricketer and merits opportunities. I think there will be some opportunity for him at some point soon."
Bairstow's return has raised a question mark on the selection process as he last played a Test in South Africa the previous winter and doesn't have any big scores in recent first-class appearances. Smith, however, reminded that the aggressive right-hander boasts of a fine record in Sri Lanka and can play spin well.
"In his last Test match in Sri Lanka, he got a hundred in Colombo in that 3-0 series victory," Smith said. "He has a very good record against spin, and we saw in different formats what a talented player he is in recent weeks."
"He's missed out on selection over the last year and has obviously been very frustrated by that, but… with his pedigree as a player of spin in Asia, and with some gaps in the squad as well with Ben Stokes and Rory Burns not there, it felt like the perfect moment to re-introduce Jonny to the group."
Smith said the selectors are considering the six Tests across the next three months as part of three different blocks of two each in Galle, Chennai and Ahmedabad, and have decided to rotate the players, keeping in mind their mental well-being amid bio-bubbles imposed due to COVID-19 pandemic.
This is an important aspect of touring for England players, who weren't too keen to continue with their ODI series in South Africa after protocols breach and growing positive cases in two team's camp.
After the Tests, England take part in a five-match T20I series against India - for which skipper Eoin Morgan wants a full-strength squad available - and three ICC Super League ODIs plus IPL 2021.
"We will be making changes to the India squad mid-tour," Smith said. "We won't be doing that at the last minute. There may obviously be changes beyond that, but we think that's the only way to make sure we balance having the right number of resources in each position, and also getting rest into those multi-format players like Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, Ben Stokes, and also Sam Curran, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes etc."
Zak Crawley could open the batting in Sri Lanka in a rejigged England line-up, missing three of their regular top six, while Bairstow bats in the middle-order. A debut Test cap could be handed to Dan Lawrence but Pope remains in contention for India tour as Smith confirmed he will travel to Sri Lanka and continue his rehab in hope to be fit in time for the series opener in Chennai.
"[Pope] had a hit last week," he said. "Ollie has obviously had a similar injury before. He came back brilliantly well and showed huge resilience, which is such an important part of being an international cricketer, having that psychological resilience."
"He's been hit by that injury again and he's absolutely determined to come back even better than ever. He's a sparkling batsman with a fantastic future ahead of him."
"We'll be sensible about when he comes back, as he will be too, but he'll be working and doing everything he can to be in the mix for the first Test in India," Smith added.
(Inputs from ESPNcricinfo)
