England vs India: Jonny Bairstow hoping to keep wickets in the fourth Test

England were thumped by a massive 203 runs in the third Test at Trent Bridge by India to make a stunning comeback in the five-match series. The brittle batting line-up of the home side was exposed and for the third time since 2016, they were bundled out inside a session in the whites. To make things worse their wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow fractured the tip of his left middle finger which raised the doubts over his availability for the fourth Test.

He left the field during India’s second innings and Jos Buttler took over the gloves from him. The coach Trevor Bayliss, however, was of the opinion that Bairstow should bat at four and give up his wicketkeeping duties to Buttler who mostly bats at number seven. Also, there was a hope that he plays as a specialist batsman until his injury heals.

Swelling has gone down

Jonny Bairstow attended the press conference ahead of the Southampton Test and hoped that he will be able to keep wickets in the next game as well. He informed the reporters that he will give it a try once and then his role in the team will be decided. Moreover, the swelling has also gone now and he is recovering quickly from his injury.

“The swelling has gone down. I’m going to try and keep wicket in training this afternoon as well. You obviously want to play, so If I’m not able to keep wicket then I would like to think I’ll be a specialist batsman. But at the same time I’m desperate to try and keep my place as the wicketkeeper,” he said.

The 28-year-old also straight away cleared that he is not willing to give away his wicketkeeping duties and wants to stay in the side as the keeper-batsman. “I’m very, very keen to keep my spot as the wicketkeeper – because I would like to think it’s gone pretty well over the last 38/39 Test matches that I’ve been keeping for England,” Bairstow added.

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