Dubai: England head coach Trevor Bayliss on Friday said that wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow, who broke his finger in the third Test, might play the upcoming match against India as a specialist batsman.
England are leading the five match Test series 2-1 with the fourth match starting on August 30.
Bairstow injured his finger while keeping the wickets in India’s second innings and after that Jos Buttler kept the wickets, according to the ICC statement.
Despite the injury, Bairstow came into bat in the second innings but was clean bowled by pacer Jasprit Bumrah on the very first ball.
“I think keeping in the next game will probably be the most difficult (for Bairstow). We’ve got to check with the medical guys in the next few days. They are suggesting he may not be able to keep but might be able to bat. We’ll have to see how it responds,” Bayliss was quoted as saying by ICC website.
If England team management includes Bairstow as a specialist batsman, Ollie Pope, who made his debut in the last match might play down the order, which is his place in the domestic circuit. (IANS)
