BAIRSTOW STEPS UP FOR STARTERS

JONNY BAIRSTOW will be rewarded for his ‘relentless run-scoring’ with a place in England’s Champions Trophy semi-final line-up.

Bairstow replaces the out-of-sorts Jason Roy at the top of the order in what is set to be the only change to a winning formula for the tournament favourites.

Roy has endured a dismal run after returning from a disappointing Indian Premier League stint with the Gujarat Lions. And despite playing in 46 out of 47 games since the last World Cup as well as being well-backed by skipper Eoin Morgan, he is axed.

Bairstow has played just three games for England this season racking up 133 runs for just once out, highlighting his ability to perform at the drop of a hat.

Morgan said: “His best attribute, certainly in whiteball cricket over the last year and a half, has been his relentless attitude to score runs regardless of the situation.

“When you have guys sitting on the sideline, they can get a little bit upset, and that can affect their performance when the actual chance comes along.

“But that doesn’t seem to affect Jonny.”