England hopeful of Jonny Bairstow playing as a specialist batsman in the next Test

England were handed a 203-run thumping by India in the third Test at Trent Bridge. After being 2-0 up in the series, they would’ve hoped to seal the five-match series. But their top-order continued to fail and the visitors pounced on their weakness big time. Also, an injury to Jonny Bairstow didn’t help their cause who came out to bat at 7 for them in the second innings. However, their coach Trevor Bayliss has cleared that they are hopeful of him playing as a specialist batsman in Southampton.

He was injured during India’s second innings while collecting the ball which swung late only to hit the tip of his finger. Later he was sent to the hospital for X-Ray and a small fracture emerged to threaten his chances to participate further in the match and series. Bairstow though came out to bat in the second innings for his team. But Jasprit Bumrah was too good for him with the new cherry.

“We’re hopeful Jonny could play as a specialist batsman in the next Test,” Bayliss said while speaking to Sky Sports after the end of the match.

 Bayliss admits team’s batting troubles

Trevor Bayliss, however, admitted that the batsmen are struggling in the longest format. But also assured that the players are working hard and it has also been talked about in the background with them. “It’s not as though we don’t talk about it behind closed doors – and try to work out what’s happening. They work hard out in the nets,” he further said.

Jos Buttler was the first centurion for the hosts in this series and his partnership with Ben Stokes kept India wicketless for almost 4 hours of play. England’s coach was all praise of him and felt that the other needed to take a cue from both on how to bat in tough conditions.

“What we’ve got to do is take the example of young Ben and Jos yesterday and learn from it. Jos is unbelievably talented and I think that the belief that this first hundred gives him will mean it’s the first of many,” Bayliss concluded. Both the teams will now enjoy a significant break of eight days before facing off once again at the Ageas Bowl for the fourth Test which commences on August 30.

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