England’s leader, Ben Stokes, supports Jonny Bairstow, a hitter who’s not doing well in the current India Test series. Stokes insists on not rating hitters on a single performance but on their long-term commitment to the team.
Bairstow is under intensive scrutiny ahead of the fourth Test against India in Ranchi, which starts on Friday, February 23. The wicketkeeper-batsman is failed to reach a half-century in the series, returning with scores of 0 and 4 in the just ended Rajkot Test. Overall, he has only managed 102 runs in six innings.
Speaking to media on Thursday, Stokes stated that Bairstow has been a vital part of their Test recovery and hence deserves support. As cited by The Cricketer, he stated:
“If batters have a tough time over a short period, it will come under scrutiny don’t look at it like that. I look at what Jonny has contributed for a long period of time since I’ve been captain. He has money in the bank, he’s a quality player. He’s someone who has been very integral to what we have done.”
Ben Stokes
Following England’s 434-run defeat in Rajkot, head coach Brendon McCullum urged Bairstow to perform well in the remaining two Tests.
“I also feel having two seamers gives us a good chance” – Ben Stokes
Stokes revealed why right-arm seamer Ollie Robinson was selected over Mark Wood for the Ranchi Test. He argued that the former’s accuracy and release point would benefit him on a spin-friendly pitch. The England captain explained:
“You look at the player Mark is, especially with the ball, you want someone like that operating at 100 per cent. You want to be able to keep players like that on the field operating at that level. Bringing Robbo in gives us good options, especially looking at this wicket. I feel like the spin will be assisted but I also feel having two seamers gives us a good chance purely because of Ollie Robinson’s release height and his relentlessness with his areas.”
Ben Stokes
Robinson and Shoaib Bashir have replaced Mark Wood and Rehan Ahmed in the visitors’ fourth Test squad.