Ashes: Huge blow to England ahead of fifth Test as THIS player returns home due to injury

The England team said that Bairstow would travel with the touring squad to Hobart for the fifth Test starting on Friday and his thumb injury would be assessed later in the week.

Sydney: England's Jos Buttler has a broken finger and will be returning home to end a difficult Ashes tour for the 57-Test capped wicketkeeper batsman.

England team management said after the dramatic finish to the fourth Test that saw the tourists cling on for a draw at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday that Buttler has a 'fractured left index finger' and that he will return home on Monday for further assessment and treatment.

"It's quite a serious injury and for him to be able to front up and put in as he did from the moment he took that knock shows how much he cares," said captain Joe Root after the fourth Test.