Michael Vaughan Unhappy With Selectors For Resting Bairstow Against The ‘Best Team’ India
Former England captain Michael Vaughan slammed the team management for dropping Jonny Bairstow from the Test squad for the first two Tests against India.
Former England skipper Michael Vaughan criticised the England selectors for not selecting middle-order batsman Jonny Bairstow for the first two Tests against India. England will be travelling to India for 4 Tests, 5 T20Is, and 3 ODIs after clean sweeping Sri Lanka 2-0 in the recently-concluded Test series.
Responding to the Test squad selection, Vaughan took to Twitter and wrote:
“Surely @jbairstow21 stays with the Test team for the start of the #India series … makes no sense that a player who has only just got his Test place back & plays spin is well is resting !!!! #SLvENG !!#OnOn.”
Earlier, referring to Bairstow, Vaughan had tweeted:
“The only player in England’s Top 3 that’s playing the sub continent conditions with any control or calmness is resting for the first 2 Tests against the best Team in world at home #India !!! The world is officially mad… #SLvENG.”
Bairstow was part of both the Tests in England’s recent 2-0 win over Sri Lanka in their own backyard. The wicket-keeper batsman looked in control in the Asian conditions and scored 47, 35 in the two innings of the first Test. In the second Test, Bairstow managed to get scores of 28 and 29 in the two innings.
England captain Joe Root was asked about the same after winning the 2nd Test against Sri Lanka, and he said the team has to adjust to the player rotations in the current climate.
“We always want our best players there as often as possible, because of the world we’re in right now it’s not feasible and we have to manage that the best we can,” Root said.
“But he’s still got an opportunity to affect the series and sure he’ll be desperate to keep up the good form,” he added.
The English selectors have brought stars Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes back into the squad as they set their eyes on the World Test Championship. The duo had been rested for the tour of Sri Lanka which is currently underway. England has announced 16-man strong squad with an additional six members slated to travel as reserves. Joe Root will continue to lead the side while Moeen Ali, who was infected with COVID-19 in Sri Lanka, will travel to India for the Test series. Rory Burns will also return to the squad. Meanwhile, Ollie Pope has been included in the touring party, however, he will only be included if deemed fit.
England Test Squad for first two Tests against India:
Joe Root (captain), Jofra Archer, Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes.
