Vince back as Bairstow injury cover

Batsman James Vince has been added to England’s squad for the fourth Test against India, which will start in Southampton on Thursday.
Vince, who was dropped from the Test XI after April’s tour to New Zealand, will effectively act as cover for the injured Jonny Bairstow.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Bairstow sustained a finger injury during the third Test at Trent Bridge, where the tourists had a two-nil lead in the five-match series halved by a disappointing 203-run defeat.
“James returns to the England set-up in confident form and scoring runs. He has been in excellent form for Hampshire,” said national selector Ed Smith.
“He will return to the squad in the event of an injury to a seam bowler,” added Smith.
The right-handed Vince has 543 runs at a weak average of 24.90 to show for 22 Test innings. He has scored three tidy half-centuries, but hasn’t gathered a three-figure innings yet.
“He has shown that when he plays well, boy does he look a Test player,” said Smith earlier this year.
“However, his cricketing history has not produced the runs he should have done. He has not defined enough matches in the way a top-order batsman of his ability should.”
Squad: Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Alastair Cook, Sam Curran, Keaton Jennings, Ollie Pope, Ben Stokes, Adil Rashid, James Vince, Chris Woakes.
Latest
-
News
Paul Collingwood backs Ollie Pope to lead England fightback at Lord’s
South Africa’s charge was halted by the rain.
-
News
Ollie Pope’s bid to lead England recovery against South Africa halted by rain
Pope was unbeaten on 61 in England’s 116 for six when rain brought an early end to the day’s play.
-
News
Rain stops play as Ollie Pope bids to lead England recovery against South Africa
The 24-year-old brought up his half-century just before lunch and was unbeaten on 61 when the rain set in.
-
News
Sir Andrew Strauss hopes review will make English game ‘cleaner and more simple’
Strauss was asked earlier this year by the ECB to begin a review of English cricket.
-
News
Ollie Pope helps England recover from rocky start as South Africa strike early
The 24-year-old brought up his half-century just before lunch after England had slipped to 55 for four.
-
News
Jemimah Rodrigues: Women’s Indian Premier League can build on the Hundred’s work
The inaugural season was seen as a resounding success for its acceleration of the women’s game
-
News
Deandra Dottin’s an all-round success as Manchester Originals beat Welsh Fire
The former West Indies star excelled with bat and ball at Old Trafford.
-
News
Ben Stokes insists England will adopt front-foot approach in all circumstances
England begin their Test series with South Africa at Lord’s on Wednesday aiming to keep playing bold cricket.
-
News
Dean Elgar warns South Africa are ‘not here to play soft-natured cricket’
The Proteas skipper also insisted nothing should be read into their heavy defeat to England Lions last week.
-
News
Ireland all-rounder Kevin O’Brien retires from international cricket aged 38
The 38-year-old’s century secured a famous World Cup victory over England in 2011.