Bairstow believes he is in the best form of his career

Jonny Bairstow believes he is in the best form of his career after being handed an England recall ahead of the third Test against Australia at Edgbaston on July 29.

Bairstow has been picked in place of Gary Ballance after making five hundreds for Yorkshire, the reigning champions, in the County Championship where he averages over 100 so far this season.

He sure can make a difference to the team.
His confidence level is high enough and he was striking the ball well too.It didn't look like he was playing just like that,he seemed to put it up rhythmically.

It will be interesting to see where Bairstow bats. Will he bat 4 and Root 5 or move Root up to 4 and play Bairstow at 5? Bairstow has batted at 5 for most of the season for Yorkshire. I'd move Root to 4 and play Bairstow at 5.

Root can attack as well as play a patient innings,so yes he is apt for No:4 position,whereas bairstow is a player with attacking instincts,thus can fill No:5
It all blends in well,the team too looks complete,lets see what difference they can make.

Root actually has a higher strike rate in Test and county cricket when compared to Bairstow.

I believe its all moot now anyway as it was announced that Root will bat 4 and Bairstow 5. Not surprising. If only to protect Bairstow from coming in at 25/2 as has been the case in the 4 innings so far this series.

Ultimately, I think Root will eventually end up batting 3 for England. Bell's Test career is winding down and Ballance was never a number 3 batsman to begin with.

Fast Forward to 2016 !

For Bairstow, it was a continuation of a sensational run of form in all formats
for England, one that began with his maiden Test century against South Africa
at Cape Town in January 2016 and has included :

a tally of 1470 runs at 58.80 

in the 2016 calendar year, a record for a Test wicketkeeper. .

a record haul of 70 dismissals in 2016 (click)

almost double the tally of his nearest challenger, Pakistan's Sarfraz Ahmed.

For that reason, he's still hopeful that he will be considered the first-choice stand-in

IF Buttler is injured in the lead-up to the Champions Trophy   

www.espncricinfo.com/england-v-ireland-2...t/story/1096799.html

Jonnnnyyyyy ! :the red headed wonder !

cannot believe dillinger10 and Mail preferred Jos Butler  :-[

Bairstow's 72 not out from 44 balls was the decisive factor

in England's 85-run victory..