Bairstow is ready to step in for Denly
JOE DENLY is touch and go to recover from injury in time for England’s first Test against New Zealand later this month, with Jonny Bairstow added to the squad as cover only a few weeks after being dropped.
Denly took part in training ahead of the fourth Twenty20 international, running on the McLean Park outfield to test out the right ankle he twisted before the start of the series, and batting in the nets. He is aiming to be fit for the second of England’s two red-ball warm-up games in Whangarei next week ahead of the two-Test series, starting in Mount Maunganui on November 21. If he succeeds, and comes through the warm-up game unscathed, the selectors will then decide whether to keep Bairstow on tour.
After struggling in the first two Ashes Tests in August, Denly earned his place on tour with three half-centuries in his final five innings against Australia, including a career-best 94 to set up England’s serieslevelling victory at the Oval.
But he is not so indispensable that he can afford to miss a series, especially at the age of 33 and with captain Joe Root already focused on regaining the urn in 2021-22.
If Denly misses out on a place in England’s 15-man squad — all of whom have now arrived in New Zealand ahead of Tuesday’s first practice match — it will represent a swift change in fortunes for Bairstow, who was dropped after a disappointing Ashes.
Despite James Vince coming into consideration, Bairstow would probably play at No 3, where he made a Test century in Colombo a year ago, and Jos Buttler would keep wicket.
Meanwhile, former Kiwi fast bowler Shane Bond has said he would be interested in becoming England’s full-time bowling coach. He has stepped in to help New Zealand’s fast bowlers while Shane Jurgensen takes a break.
Asked if he fancied the job, he replied: ‘Definitely. Whatever you’re doing as a coach, you want something that’s going to excite you, hopefully make you better, and present a different opportunity.’