manchester Cricket News | Latest Cricket News on manchester on Cricketnmore

T20 World Cup: England wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow was dropped from the Test squad for the ongoing three-match home series against West Indies but he has not given up on the dream of playing red-ball cricket again for Ben Stokes-led side. Despite being dropped for the series, the 34-year-old is eager to return to the Test side. He remained a vital part of England’s red-ball team since the appointment of Brendon McCullum as head coach in May 2022.

In Bairstow’s absence, England picked Surrey wicketkeeper Jamie Smith for the series and he scored 70 in the debut Test innings at the Lord’s. He retained his spot in England’s playing 11 for the entire series as the hosts didn’t make any change in the third and final Test of the series at Edgbaston.

“All I want to do is play for England. That’s end of,” Bairstow told BBC when asked by former England Test captain Michael Vaughan about whether he wants to return to the Test side.