Bairstow may play as specialist batsman in fourth test

England’s Jonny Bairstow in action. Photo: Reuters

LONDON: England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow could play as a specialist batsman in the fourth test against India if he is cleared to return from a broken finger, head coach Trevor Bayliss said.

Bairstow fractured his left middle finger after being struck by the ball while keeping on day three of England’s third test defeat at Trent Bridge on Monday, putting his participation in the match in Southampton starting on Aug. 30 in doubt.

“We have got to check with the medical guys in the next few days. They’re suggesting he may not be able to keep but might be able to bat. We’ll have to see how it responds,” Bayliss told the British media.

England called up Hampshire batsman James Vince as cover on Thursday and wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler could once again take over behind the stumps if Bairstow cannot recover in time.

Bayliss said Bairstow could also be asked to give up keeping duties completely after his injury has fully healed, to help him focus on his batting higher up the order.

“That’ll be the hard thing, trying to convince Jonny,” Bayliss added. “That will be a decision that is taken from the team point of view. He is a world-class batter, we know that, one of the difficult things might be convincing Jonny of that.

“If that was the way we went, it would certainly be a deep conversation. Jonny’s a reasonable bloke… we know he wants to keep but there would be a lot of explaining and chatting.”

India’s victory at Trent Bridge saw them cut the hosts’ lead to 2-1 in the five-match series.