Jonny Bairstow returns as England’s keeper-batsman for pre-Ashes Test against Ireland
Jonny Bairstow returns as England goalkeeper-batsman for pre-Ashes Test against Ireland, with Ben Foakes left out despite strong form… while Jofra Archer suffers another stress fracture to his elbow
- England prepare for the Ashes this summer with Lord’s Test against Ireland
- Jonny Bairstow returns to the squad after recovering from his broken leg
- Despite a clear year for England, that is at the expense of Ben Foakes
England made the ‘seriously difficult decision’ to drop Ben Foakes and gave Jonny Bairstow the gloves on his return to Ireland and then the Ashes.
Director Rob Key announced on Tuesday that Foakes has been left out of a 15-man squad to face Ireland in the Ashes warm-up Test at Lord’s in England on June 1. a badly broken leg.
That means Bairstow will return for the first time since playing six centuries for England last year in the dual keeper-batsman role he preferred before the re-emergence of Foakes gave the Yorkshireman a specialist batting role.
He will probably hit seven with his old position of five now occupied by Harry Brook.
“Leaving Ben Foakes off the team was a seriously tough decision,” said Key.
Jonny Bairstow returns to the England squad to face Ireland at Lord’s after recovering from his broken leg and dislocated ankle
He returned to action for Yorkshire last week, just in time for this summer’s Ashes
Ben Foakes is completely left out of the selection for the Ireland Test despite his strong form
England confirmed that Jofra Archer has suffered another stress fracture to his elbow
“He was outstanding for England last year, but Jonny Bairstow is one of the best players in the world whose performance last summer epitomized what we stand for.”
There was also another huge blow that England revealed on Tuesday when it was announced that Jofra Archer has suffered another stress fracture in the right elbow that required five operations.
Archer returned from the IPL early to tend to the injury and is now officially ruled out of the Ashes and all summer, leaving him fighting to be involved in England’s defense of the 50-over World Cup in India in October.
Realistically, and unfortunately desperately, it is difficult to see him play Test cricket ever again.
“It’s been a frustrating and distressing time for Jofra,” Key said. He made good progress until a recurrence of the elbow injury that had previously kept him out for a longer period of time.
“We wish him the best of luck with his recovery and I’m sure we’ll see Jofra back to his best and win games for England, whatever the format.”
There are some intriguing selections and decisions in England’s first team of the summer, most notably Ollie Pope who officially becomes vice-captain.
That, and the inclusion of Essex batsman Dan Lawrence in the squad, raises the possibility that captain Ben Stokes will miss Ireland’s match after suffering a toe injury in the IPL and still suffering from the serious knee problem that has seriously affected his bowling affected.
Mark Wood (left) and Chris Woakes (right) take their place again in England’s bowling attack
Despite a minor groin injury, Jimmy Anderson is part of the squad for the match against Ireland
Captain Ben Stokes is allowed to sit out the Ireland Test to be fit in time for the Ashes
It’s inconceivable that Stokes would be absent from the opening of the Ashes Test at Edgbaston on June 16, even if he’s just playing as a batsman, but he has already shown disdain for warm-up matches and would miss the four-day match against the Irish.
Chris Woakes returns to the Test squad for the first time since March 2022 and, with Archer and Olly Stone missing, battles for his first appearance on home soil since August 2022.
Jimmy Anderson, who suffered a ‘minor’ groin injury playing for Lancashire against Somerset last week, is fit and included in the 15 but may be resting.