England vs India: Hampshire batsman in line to replace Jonny Bairstow for the 4th Test

England look to be in all sorts of problems after their defeat at Trent Bridge. From the openers’ struggle to the missing bone in their middle order. Along with all those questions the team management might as well need to find a replacement for Jonny Bairstow their most consistent batter in the last 18 months or so. Bairstow who was the preferred wicketkeeper in the team hurt his finger behind the wickets in the second innings.

He went off immediately and Jos Buttler kept wickets for the 70 odd overs after that in the Indian innings. Scans on his left middle finger confirmed that it was a minor fracture. Bairstow did walk out to bat one spot lower than his regular position after Ben Stokes but his stay in the middle lasted just one ball as Jasprit Bumrah squared him all ends up to conquer his timber.

A report published by The Telegraph soon after the conclusion of the 3rd Test stated that 27-year-old James Vince is set to be brought back in the team for the fourth Test match at The Rose Bowl in Southampton which also happens to be his home ground.

Vince’s performance for Hampshire

The fact that England are struggling for a stable face in the middle-order and Vince has scored 847 runs at an average of 56.47 for Hampshire this season backs his claim. He hit the nail right on the head with his knocks of 74 and 147 in the previous match which concluded on August 21 against Nottingham played at the venue that will host the fourth Test.

The right-hander was in first place dropped from the side after he just averaged 25 in 13 Tests. If he does come in, Vince will bat at 4 that means Ollie Pope who got into the squad for scoring 684 runs in 8 matches at an average of 85.50 batting at No.5 for Surrey should bat at his most preferred position.

Pope is yet to arrive at the Test level having just managed 28, 10 and 16 in the first three innings against India. The team management will also want to take a decision about the openers and in absence of Alastair Cook, Surrey’s Rory Burns a veteran of 101 first-class matches is expected to earn his maiden Test call-up.

There is an eight-day break between the two Test matches and will give the English team enough time to put together the best possible line-up in place.

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