Jonny Bairstow set to open for England against West Indies

English batsman Jonny Bairstow is all set to open for the Lions in tomorrow’s first ODI against West Indies at Old Trafford. Bairstow last opened for England during the Champions Trophy semi-final against Pakistan in Cardiff back in June, scoring 43. And the 27-year-old will be given another opportunity to open alongside Alex Hales in the five-match series.

Bairstow is coming into the team for Jason Roy, the Surrey batsman who had not scored a fifty in nine ODIs will be making way. Roy made a first-ball duck when opening in the Twenty20 defeat at Emirates Durham on Saturday, while Bairstow batted at No 6. The wicketkeeper-batsman has previously opened for Yorkshire in one-day cricket this season, making 174 off 113 balls against Durham, but the Pakistan match was the first time in 27 ODIs that he opened.

Bairstow keen to be in the playing XI irrespective of batting position

Speaking to the reporters, Bairstow said, “I’d like to hope that having finished the Champions Trophy that I will definitely get a run within the side. I have been in and out for one game here and there. At some point, it would be nice to get a decent run.”

“I don’t mind where I play or bat as long as I am in that XI. When I have been asked to do so I like to think I have done all right over the last year or so when I have opened or come in at three,” he further added.

West Indies got off to a flyer with Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis taking them to 77 before the first wicket fell in the seventh over. However, the English bowlers pulled up their socks as Plunkett and Adil Rashid (three for 25) ensured that England only required 177 to win.

Despite 43 off 17 balls by Hales, and an important partnership of 50 between Bairstow and Jos Buttler, England fell 21 runs short of the West Indies’ total.