England skipper Ben Stokes has backed under-fire Jonny Bairstow ahead of the fourth Test against India, which kicks off on Friday, February 23 at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. The visitors are 2-1 down in the ongoing five-match test series.
Jonny Bairstow is going through a lean patch in the test series. There have been calls for him to be dropped for the upcoming test match. In three matches, the England batter has managed to score 102 runs at an average of 17, with 37 as his highest score in the series. Amid the poor run, skipper Ben Stokes has backed Jonny Bairstow. Speaking at the press conference, ahead of the fourth test, he said,
“If batters have a tough time over a short period, it will come under scrutiny.”
“I don’t look at it like that, I look at what Jonny [Bairstow] has contributed for a long period 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,” he added.
England makes two changes for Ranchi test against India
England have recalled Ollie Robinson and Shoaib Bashir in the playing XI for the fourth Test against India. Robinson will be making his return after suffering back spams in the Ashes Test in July last year. He will be replacing Mark Wood for the Ranchi Test.
Meanwhile, Shoaib Bashir has been selected in place of Rehan Ahmed. The batting line-up remains unchanged for the test. In the match, the focus will be on Ben Stokes, who might resume bowling. Several videos of him bowling in the nets have been shared widely in the build-up to the match.
England playing XI for the Ranchi Test: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (C), Ben Foakes, Tom Hartley, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson, Shoaib Bashir
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