Reports: Jonny Bairstow likely to miss the last two Tests against India

The Test series between England and India has taken a dramatic turn as the visitors have responded to the calamity after being 0-2 down. They have put their opponents on the mat in the ongoing third Test and it looks certain that it will be 2-1 going to Southampton. The hosts, apart from a poor show, have been dealt with a huge blow with an injury to Jonny Bairstow. He has fractured his left middle finger and is now likely to miss the last two Test matches of the series.

According to the Guardian, Bairstow has no chance of being fit for the fourth and fifth Test in time. It takes almost three to four weeks for a fracture to heal and the final match of the series will be played on September 7. However, England’s assistant coach Paul Farbrace didn’t open up much about his availability further in the series. Though he went on to say that Bairstow is likely to bat in the second innings.

Ian Bell to come back?

If Jonny Bairstow is indeed ruled out of the remainder of the Test series, England selectors will have a task cut out to replace him. He was the in-form batsman for them in the ongoing series with 206 runs in 4 innings and his absence will leave a big hole in the middle-order. There is also a chance of Ian Bell getting a recall to the Test line-up for the first time since 2016.

He has been raking up the runs in the County Championship for Warwickshire. The veteran of 118 Tests has amassed 667 runs so far in 9 matches at an average of 51.30 with 3 tons and a couple of half-centuries. There is also an issue of the opening stand and with Alastair Cook also struggling, more questions are being asked of him.

Currently, England are four down in the Trent Bridge Test and it is only a matter of time that India will wrap up the proceedings in the second session itself.

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