After his exclusion was hugely criticised by former England captains, Jonny Bairstow is all set to join the squad after the first Test. He was to join the squad after the first two Tests. However, now he will be joining the squad post the series opener in Chennai. England batting coach Graham Thorpe informed the same via a virtual press conference to IANS. Jos Buttler and Ben Foakes were been selected as the two specialist keepers for the first two Tests.
“He is coming after first Test into the squad,” Thorpe said in a virtual interaction with the media on Friday. Bairstow has even reacted to his omission from the first two Tests against India. The right-hander was overlooked despite his rich experience of playing in Indian conditions in the IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Meanwhile, England head coach Chris Silverwood defended his decision of rotating the players for the Test series.
I’m perfectly happy with the system we’re using at the moment. I stand by it,” he had told reporters. We’ve got to look after our people. We’re spending a lot of time locked in hotel rooms inside bio-secure bubbles and it’s not easy,” he said.
Former England captains Nasser Hussain, Kevin Pietersen and Michael Vaughan all criticised England’s move of not playing the best XI for the first two Tests.
Pietersen said that it is “disrespectful” to England fans and India if the visitors don’t play their best XI. “Big debate on whether England have picked their best team to play India in the 1st Test. Winning in India is as good a feeling as winning in Australia. It’s disrespectful to England fans & also BCCI to not play your best team. Bairstow has to play! Broad/Anderson have to play!” Pietersen said in a tweet.
Big debate on whether ENG have picked their best team to play India in the 1st Test.
Winning IN India is as good a feeling as winning in Aus.
It’s disrespectful to ENG fans & also @BCCI to NOT play your best team.Bairstow has to play!
Broad/Anderson have to play!— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) January 24, 2021
Michael Vaughan Backs Inclusion of Jonny Bairstow
Vaughan said that Bairstow was the only player in England’s top three looking comfortable in sub-continent conditions. “The only player in England’s top three that’s playing the sub-continent conditions with any control or calmness is resting for the first two Tests against the best Team in world at home #India !!! The world is officially mad,” said Vaughan in a tweet.
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
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) January 23, 2021
The first two Tests of the four-match series will be played in Chennai. The first Test starts from February 5.
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