Bairstow vows to keep spot
JONNY BAIRSTOW has told bosses to look elsewhere when it comes to fitting Ben Stokes back into England’s one-day team.
Bairstow reckons he has worked too hard, for too long, to see his one-day place taken away from him, and he has got the numbers to back it up.
With Jason Roy breaking records in Melbourne, it means Alex Hales – who faces a disciplinary hearing in the near future – could be looking over his shoulder when Stokes returns to the 50-over fray in New Zealand. “I am pretty happy with the runs I scored in the last series,” said Bairstow, 28, who averages 90 as an opener.
“I have worked my a**e off to get to where I am, to fight for a position in the side. And I like to think, every time I have come in, I have done well enough to keep my spot.
“I have been asked to open the batting in seven games, and have scored two hundreds in those games.
“I have been really pleased with how I have started in the role.”
Australia are keen to level the series in Brisbane on Friday, at the venue of one of their most memorable one-day wins over England, when James Faulkner’s 69 not out inspired a stunning one-wicket win in 2014.
“It was a phenomenal knock by Jimmy,” said David Warner. “To fight back and win that game, it set the tone for the series.”