Alastair Cook Advocates Dropping Jonny Bairstow for Ranchi Test
Former England Captain Suggests Resting the Struggling Wicketkeeper-Batter
In an effort to "protect the player," England captain Alastair Cook has asked them to bench Jonny Bairstow, a batsman who is having a terrible series, from the Ranchi Test.
In the current five-match series, Bairstow, who bats as a specialist, has had a terrible run. With scores of 0, 4, 25, 26, 37, and 10 in six innings, he is averaging 17.00.
"To safeguard the player, I'm removing him from the firing line because I believe he's had a difficult tour thus far and India is a difficult place to continue on the treadmill," Cook said in a statement to TNT Sport.
"Having someone who is new to all the mess this series has caused thus far is beneficial, but I'm not saying he won't play Test cricket again."
The former captain believes that Dan Lawrence, an all-rounder who will arrive in Ranchi tomorrow, would replace Bairstow.
Michael Atherton, a different former captain, believes the team management will keep pushing Bairstow to do well.
Atherton said on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, "(Bairstow) has been so central to this project that I don't see them leaving him out now, at a critical juncture."
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