It will be hard to leave out Bairstow, says Trevor Bayliss

The English team have started off their preparations for the upcoming edition of the ICC Champions Trophy. Being the hosts, they are tipped to one of the favorites for the tournament. Also, their most recent form in the limited overs has been excellent. Team head coach Trevor Bayliss is a mighty pleased man at the moment. However, he has a few selection conundrums to worry about.

The problem of plenty exists for Bayliss and co. at the moment. England swept off the Irish side in the two-match ODI series recently. Speaking to the media after the second game, Trevor Bayliss noted that the bigger challenge lies ahead when they take on South Africa in a 3-match ODI series and then the Champions Trophy.

“We know there are sterner tests coming up, with South Africa in a couple of weeks’ time and then the Champions Trophy coming up after that, but we have won well and we can’t do anything more than that,” quoted Bayliss.

In the second ODI, the team fielded Jonny Bairstow in the playing eleven. Bairstow has been in a stunning form for the last 18 months. Despite his form, he has struggled to make it to the English side in limited over as Jos Buttler and Sam Billings are already lined up as the wicket-keeper batsmen. But everytime Jonny has got his chance, he has made it count. Bayliss reflected at the same and said it would be hard to leave him out.

“I think there’s probably not a lot between the three keepers but the amount of runs Jonny scores, it’d be hard to leave him out.  Every time we give him a go, he gets the job done for us,” quoted Trevor Bayliss.

It was Bairstow’s late striking that saw England post 328 on the board in the second ODI against Ireland. He plundered 61 runs in the final overs and ended with a score of 72 in just 44 balls. Talking about his own form, Bairstow cited that he is aiming to be the part of the English lineup in each and every match. He is happy with the kind of performances he is coming up with.

“I’m pleased with the way I’m striking the ball and moving at the crease, and the by-product is the runs you score. It’s something (Champions Trophy) I’ve been targeting — I want to be a part of every England side going forward. We have a heck of a lot of talent in the group, but if I put in the performances then who knows?”