James Vince might find a place in English squad after Bairstow’s injury

The selection committee will name the England squad today for the next game of the ongoing Test series against the Indians and Bairstow, who is nursing a fractured finger, may get a look in as a specialist batsman with Jos Butler taking up the wicket-keeping duties. So, Vince would thus be cover for Bairstow in the batting department.

“Jonny is obviously a world-class batter in good form and would warrant his place within the side as a batter. In terms of keeping, we are very fortunate to have Jos in the team already. It would make things very easy in terms of him stepping into that role,” said Joe Root.

Vince last played a Test match in April earlier this year against the Kiwis and since then national selector Ed Smith has kept him away from the squad. Vince has only 548 runs in 13 Tests with a miserable average of 24.9. But recently he scored a ton against Nottinghamshire in county championship division 1 game at Rose Bowl, which is also the venue for the next Test. He has been in a good form this summer with an average of 56. 

The English skipper also spoke about their performance in the series and said, “We’re definitely in the driving seat as far as the series goes. We have to keep remembering that.”

Alastair Cook’s form has been a concern for the Englishmen in the series so far. Cook is yet to provide a good start at the top of the order for them and has constantly failed playing both spin and pace at the opening slot.

“The hardest point to bat is opening. He’s a world-class performer, he’s proven that time and time again and actually I’d like you to write him off because every time he’s written off he comes back and scores a double hundred,” said Root.