Cape Town, January 8

Out-of-favour England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler is being encouraged by coach Trevor Bayliss to play in this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) to hone his limited overs skills.

“It’s something we’ve spoken about,” Bayliss told reporters following the conclusion of the drawn second Test against South Africa in Cape Town. “He definitely wants to play more Test cricket for England, which is great. Obviously (current first choice) Jonny (Bairstow) is there at the moment,” he said. “If the opportunity arrives and he (Buttler) is not in the Test team and that IPL window is a possibility, I’d be all for it.”

Buttler’s form in the limited overs game — where he broke his own record for England’s fastest ODI century in just 46 balls against Pakistan in November — contrasts with his Test exploits. Buttler has a batting average of only 13 in seven Tests he has played from the start of the Ashes against Australia last July until he was dropped during October’s series against Pakistan in the UAE.

While he remains a part of the squad that is touring South Africa, his place in the team has been taken by Bairstow.