England wicket-keeper batsman Jonny Bairstow was dropped for the upcoming two-match Test series in New Zealand later this November 2019 after his continuous failure in the longest format of the game.

He has averaged just 19.45 in Test cricket this year, passing 50 just once this year since taking on the gloves in February.

Following a poor 2019 Ashes series with the bat at home, Bairstow lost his place in the national Test squad as he was asked by the team management to return as a specialist batsman to find a place in the XI.

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However, Bairstow’s luck played a role, as a red-ball opportunity came his way thanks to an injury to Joe Denly. Bairstow, who is currently playing in the ongoing five-match T20I series against the Black Caps, has been named as cover for Denly who is recovering from ligament damage to his right ankle.

The batsman has been asked to remain in New Zealand for next week’s warm-up matches ahead of Test series, as England continue to monitor Denly’s fitness, as the right-hander returned to practice but they don’t make a decision on him in hurry, deciding to take the cautious way to handle him.

England Test squad:
Joe Root (capt), Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jack Leach, Saqib Mahmood, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Pope, Dominic Sibley, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes

(With AFP Inputs)