Bairstow left out of test squad for NZ tour

LONDON: England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow has been left out of the squad for the twotest series in New Zealand but included in the twenty20 squad for the tour that begins in November, the country’s cricket board said yesteray.

The 29yearold Bairstow scored 214 runs in this year’s drawn Ashes series, averaging just below 24 in the five tests, and managed only one halfcentury to

his name in 10 innings.

Jos Buttler is expected to keep wicket while Ollie Pope, who last

played a test in August 2018, is set for a backup role.

Jason Roy, who struggled during the Ashes with 110 runs in eight innings, was not named in either squad, while allrounder Ben Stokes, Buttler, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Liam Plunkett and Chris Woakes will sit out the T20 series.

Four uncapped players — Dominic Sibley, Zak Crawley, Matthew Parkinson and Saqib Mahmood — have been called up to the test squad.

Sibley, who scored 1324 runs in the County Championship for Warwickshire, is expected to compete for an opening spot, while 21yearold Crawley has earned his place after scoring 820 runs.

Parkinson is set to be spinner Jack Leach’s understudy while Mahmood has been included as veteran fast bowler and England’s leading wicket taker, James Anderson, is still out of contention while he recovers from a calf injury.

‘‘James Anderson was unavailable for selection in the test squad as he continues his rehabilitation from a calf injury,’’ the ECB said.

‘‘The Lancashire seamer will work towards being available for the South Africa tour later this winter.’’

Eoin Morgan, who led England to its maiden World Cup triumph with a win over New Zealand in July’s final, will return to take up the captaincy for the T20 matches as it steps up its preparations for the World Cup in October next year.

England begins its New Zealand tour with the first of five T20 matches on November 1, followed by tests that begin on November 21 and November 29 respectively. The tests will not be a part of the ICC World Test Championship. — Reuters