Bairstow worried about his ODI spot after Stokes' clearance from ECB

Stokes has not been playing international cricket for England since Ashes.

ECB has finally given Stokes' clearence to play cricket  again. (Getty)

Ben Stokes has been finally cleared by the ECB to get back to playing cricket even though his investigation is still pending. Stokes was charged with affray on Monday following an incident on a night out in Bristol last September, but the England and Wales Cricket Board have made him available for selection.

The Test vice-captain is expected to join up with the England squad ahead of the Twenty20 internationals against New Zealand next month, having been suspended since his arrest in Bristol.

"I am pretty happy with the runs I scored in the last series [against West Indies]," said Bairstow.I have worked my a**e off to get to where I am to fight for a position in the side.

"And I like to think every time I have come in, whether that be on a one-off game over the last two years when I have got man of the match or whether it be batting at four, six, keeping wicket or opening the batting, I have come in and done well enough to keep my spot.

"I have been asked to open the batting in seven games and I have scored two hundreds in those games". 

"It is going to take a bit of time to completely know it and understand it, but I have been really pleased with how I have started in the role. It is a new skill I am learning and hopefully one I will be learning for a while."

England made a winning start to the 5 match ODI series by winning the first ODI in Melbourne. Jason Roy notched up his highest ODI score as England chased down the Australian total comfortably. Bairstow is expected to be a part of the team.

England take on Australia in the second ODI at The Gabba tomorrow. 

 
 

By Anshuman Roy - 18 Jan, 2018

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