Image Credit- Sportzpics
In an attempt to “protect the player” who is
having a terrible series, former captain Alastair Cook has urged England to
bench wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow for the Ranchi Test against India.
Playing as a specialist batter, Bairstow has had a terrible run in the current
five-match series. With scores of 0, 4, 25, 26, 37, and 10 in six innings, he
is averaging 17.00.
“I’m taking him out of the firing line to protect
the player, as I think he’s had a tough tour so far and India is a tough place
to keep going on the treadmill,” Cook told ‘TNT Sport’.
“I’m not saying he’ll never play Test cricket again, but it’s good to have
someone who’s fresh of all the debris of this series so far,” he added.
Cook backed Dan Lawrence to replace Bairstow as the all-rounder will step up
out in Ranchi without any baggage.
“When you’re not scoring runs, there’s a build-up of pressure and momentum
from certain bowlers on you, so I’d let Dan Lawrence have a go.” However,
another former captain Michael Atherton feels the England team management will
continue to back Bairstow to come good.
“(Bairstow) has been so central to this project that I don’t see them
leaving him out now, at a critical juncture,” Atherton said on the ‘Sky
Sports Cricket Podcast’.
England trail the series 1-2.