BAIR WITH S0RE HEAD
Jonny set for Trophy KO
JONNY BAIRSTOW is facing Champions Trophy heartache.
The Yorkshire batsman has been told by skipper Eoin Morgan he is unlikely to make the side for next month’s tournament, despite smashing 72 from just 44 balls against Ireland at Lord’s on Sunday.
Bairstow was only in the team because Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler are playing in the Indian Premier League.
And with those two certs to play when they return, one-day skipper Morgan has made it quite clear there is no room for another batsman, with all-rounder Moeen Ali also due to be recalled after missing the two Ireland matches.
“With Ben coming back into the side it allows us to play another all-rounder in the side, with Mo at seven,” said Morgan.
“To justify an out-and-out batter at seven, I’m not sure you can.
“The number of balls faced at seven, the spread on them, is very small. ® So, over the course of say 10 games, if Bairstow faces 40 balls in one game, is he going to face 40 balls that will win you a game?
“Or could your all-rounder go in, do the same job, get you up to a par score and then contribute more with the ball?”
When it was suggested that Bairstow won the game for England on Sunday, Morgan added: “Yes, but you can’t guarantee that and how often would he be used?
“We’ve a really strong batting lineup, particularly when Stokes, Chris Woakes and Buttler come back in. To have Woakes coming in at eight, it is hard to justify Bairstow at No.7.” ¬ EOIN MORGAN was speaking at the launch of NatWest’s ‘Cricket has no boundaries’ campaign, which celebrates the sport’s inclusivity. NatWest is the new principal partner of England Cricket, having supported the game since 1981. Find out more at natwest.com/cricket #NoBoundaries.