England captain Joe Root says Bairstow was fully aware of this scenario when he stepped in as a wicketkeeper for Test 4 and confirms that England will oversee the recovery of closers James Anderson and Ollie Robinson before making a decision on their final XI.
England head coach Chris Silverwood talks to Jonny Bairstow at the Kia Oval last week
Jos Buttler will return as England’s vice captain and wicketkeeper for the LV = Insurance round five on Friday against India, leaving Jonny Bairstow in doubt about his place.
Buttler missed the 157-race loss in the Kia Oval to be present at the birth of his second child, but has returned to the team at Emirates Old Trafford.
Captain Joe Root confirmed that he would make an immediate return to the side, which means that one of Bairstow or Ollie Pope will have to leave.
Root also confirmed that Moeen Ali was still the number one player on the team. Jack Leach has been called up for the match, but relies on a turning track in Manchester to enter the side as a second turning option.
Explaining the decision to go straight back to Buttler, who batted 14.40, Root said: “He’s the vice captain of this team. He’s an integral part of who we are.
“I know that his performance in terms of racing this series has not been as high as he would have liked, or as we would have liked, but we know what a great player he is.
“I think Jonny knew exactly what the setting was when he was given the opportunity to stay last week.”
On Leach’s prospects for making his first appearance of the summer, Root added: “I’d say Moeen is our first spinner, yeah.
“I’m sure Jack will be desperate to take a chance if he gets one, but we haven’t seen the pitches. We know what you can get here at Old Trafford sometimes, he can spin and that could be an option that we have for. look with two spinners “.
England is in familiar territory in Manchester, having played three rounds there last summer due to biosecurity demands in the confinement. They won all three, including a memorable chase against Pakistan led by Buttler, and Root hopes the comeback will inspire his fellow hitters.
Root got six of England’s seven testing centuries in 2021 and needs more support.
“You have to assume that, it comes from within the individual. You have to become greedy,” he said.
“We’ve talked a bit about this as a team, can you be the one to go and make that great score and really put us in a position of strength?
“What I’ve managed to do well so far this year is that I know where I want to score my runs, I know where my great strengths are and I just fully support them. I trust my decision making under pressure and when I walked in I felt like I had this mentality that it will take something very special to get me out.
“Hopefully that can be contagious and present to the rest of the batting group. It just takes one person to go and do it. It can spread very quickly like wildfire to the rest of the group.”
Watch the fifth and final event between England and India live on Sky Sports Cricket starting at 10am. M. From Friday.
