In his absence, the gloves were in hands of Ben Foakes who played against New Zealand and Pakistan, and certainly was impressive with both bat and gloves. Unfortunately, Foakes has to leave out to make space for Jonny Bairstow.
The decision to leave out Ben Stokes was described as “tough” by England cricket interim director Rob Key, saying that Jonny Bairstow in the previous summer was exactly what England epitomized when shifting their game methods.
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Before leaving the game due to an unfortunate accident, Bairstow was picking some Incredible form. He scored 4 centuries and 1 half century in total 5 innings against New Zealand and India at a magnificent strike rate of over 105 in test cricket.
Ben Foakes had his own moments, playing some impactful knocks for the team. His most important knock came against New Zealand at Maunganui where he scored a match winning half century.
After making a comeback, Bairstow played two matches for Yorkshire and now he’s ready to blast with bat again in international cricket. As World Cup is in view for English team, they will like their best players to make take part in big matches.
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Ex English cricketer and now a commentator Michael Atherton considers it a right call to draft in Jonny Bairstow.
Atherton said to Sky Cricket, “The problem for wicketkeepers is only one person can do the job and Foakes, of course, is an outstanding wicketkeeper and he has done pretty well for England.
“But Jonny Bairstow, the way that he played last summer, Brendon McCullum had said that once he is fit he is going to get back into the team.”
“He had a very bad break of his leg when he fell on the golf course and wicketkeeping is a physically arduous thing over five days.”
“So you have to take it on trust that he is fully fit to do the job. He has come back for Yorkshire and done a bit of keeping but not that much and the medical staff clearly know more than I do.”
“Once he is fit, I think it is right he is back in the team and that is the only way to get him back in the team.”
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The decision may not favour 30 years old Ben Foakes but according to Atherton, it’s not end of the road for him. “The silver lining for Ben Foakes is that he is very much there should anything happen,” Atherton said.
“If Bairstow gets injured then Foakes comes in clearly and England’s next tour after the Ashes is to the sub-continent and they might go for a different balance of the team there with two of three spinners maybe in the team.”
“They might think Ben Foakes is the man to take that role then. It is not the last of Ben Foakes I am sure and he has proved himself to be a top-class keeper when he has played.”