Bairstow aims to capitalise on consistency
England call-up Jonny Bairstow is delighted to be back in the Test fold, and feels he is in prime form to put his stamp on the Ashes, despite not having played a Test in 18 months.
Ballance is averaging more than 100 with the bat this season for Yorkshire, racking up the centuries, and has been called to replace Gary Ballance in the line up for the third Ashes Test in Birmingham.
He last played a Test in January last year, in the final Ashes Test of that series, in Sydney. Since then he's been on the sidelines, working his way back into contention, and hopes to make sure to stay there now.
Bairstow said of his form on the ECB website: "Consistency-wise, I think I am in my best form and striking the ball well – and I hope this will continue.
"Playing international cricket is a great challenge, but that is why we play the game. If you don't challenge yourself, you will never find anything out about yourself."
He added of his Yorkshire team mate Ballance, expressing sympathy but determined to take advantage of the chance: "He has scored a heck of a lot of runs over a short period of time.
"But it is just one of those disappointing things, and I hope I will be able to get in and score runs.
"I have been very positive at the crease this season and will try and take that into the Ashes series."
Latest
-
NewsJason Roy was never ready to ‘roll over’ despite year of setbacks and low points
Roy has for so long been England’s pacesetter at the top of the order but lost his place in the side.
-
NewsEngland batter Jason Roy emotional after return to form in South Africa defeat
Roy’s slump with the bat led to him being dropped ahead of England’s T20 World Cup-winning campaign last year.
-
EnglandJofra Archer will ‘get better and better’ but England batting needs more bite
Archer took one for 81 on a hot and sunny afternoon in Bloemfontein.
-
EnglandEngland beaten by South Africa in first ODI despite blistering Jason Roy century
Roy scored 113 off just 91 balls but South Africa ran out winners by 27 runs.
-
Women's CricketEngland reach Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup final after winning thriller
With Australia 96 for nine chasing 100, the England captain trapped Maggie Clark lbw to send her side through to face India in the final.
-
EnglandJofra Archer toils for little reward as South Africa set England 299 to win ODI
Archer believes he is at about “80 per cent” fitness so some rust was inevitable.
-
Women's CricketWomen’s T20 World Cup in South Africa to have all-female match officials
Three match referees and 10 umpires will form the 13-strong team.
-
England5 talking points as England turn attention to ODI format in a World Cup year
England have travelled to South Africa for three one-day internationals.
-
EnglandEngland captain Jos Buttler backs Jason Roy as the opener bids to find his form
Roy will open the innings alongside Dawid Malan as part of a new-look top-order in Friday’s first ODI against South Africa.
-
EnglandJofra Archer set to make long-awaited England comeback against South Africa
There were minor alarms when the fast bowler was not seen at Bloemfontein’s Mangaung Oval on Thursday.