Jonny Bairstow Out for Australia Series; Wright Confident in Return

Jonny Bairstow’s omission from the squads for the upcoming limited-overs series against Australia has not shaken England chief selector Luke Wright’s confidence that he will “fight his way back” into the national team. Bairstow, along with veterans Moeen Ali and Chris Jordan will miss England’s first white-ball matches since their T20 World Cup campaign. Instead, Wright has selected five uncapped players for the September series.

Wright acknowledged Bairstow’s disappointment and emphasized that this decision does not mark the end of his international career. “Jonny’s great strength is his desire to play,” Wright said. He noted that Jonny Bairstow has struggled for form since returning from a serious leg injury in 2022. Wright added, “We want him back to being one of the best players in the world,” expressing hope that Bairstow will fight to regain his spot in the team.

Wright also addressed the futures of Moeen Ali and Chris Jordan, stating that he isn’t ruling out their return. Both players have served as mainstays in England’s limited-overs teams for the past decade. Wright recalled that Chris Jordan missed out last winter but later joined the World Cup squad, hinting at a similar possibility for Ali and Jordan.

Regarding the team’s post-World Cup refresh, Wright praised the abundance of talent and the character of the younger players emerging in English cricket. He described himself as “very lucky” to be a selector during this time of talent and opportunity. In related news, captain Jos Buttler is set to return for the Australia series after recovering from a calf injury that kept him out of The Hundred.

Wright confirmed that Buttler is “tracking nicely” and should be ready to lead the side.