England national selector Luke Wright has publicly acknowledged Jonny Bairstow‘s disappointment after the veteran wicketkeeper was omitted from the white-ball squads for the upcoming series against Australia. Notably, England’s home series against Australia will commence on September 11.

Absence of Jonny Bairstow for the white-ball series against Australia

Bairstow, a mainstay in England’s limited-overs setup, was notably left out alongside senior players Moeen Ali and Chris Jordan. This decision has raised eyebrows, particularly given Bairstow’s longstanding role in England’s cricketing framework. Bairstow expressed his desire to represent England across all formats while participating in The Hundred 2024. However, his exclusion mark a significant shift in the team’s approach as newer players like Dan Mousley and Jacob Bethell received their maiden call-ups.

Also READ: ECB unveils England’s ODI & T20I squads for the home series against Australia; no place for Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali

England’s chief selector Luke Wright’s perspective

Bairstow’s struggle to secure a spot in the national team is further compounded by the emergence of promising players such as Will Jacks and Phil Salt. Despite a designated role in the middle order, Bairstow’s performances failed to meet expectations. His recent performances in County cricket, including a fifty against Sussex and a duck in the second innings, have not been enough to reverse his fortunes with the national team.

Wright remains hopeful for Bairstow’s comeback, acknowledging his resilience and past instances where he has defied expectations. Wright emphasized his belief in Bairstow’s ability to reclaim his place, despite the current competition.

“It’s not the case, when we spoke to him, that he’s done. We just want him back to [being] one of the best players in the world. He understands that. He doesn’t like it. One thing Jonny will do is fight back, and I hope he does and gets himself back in the team. I’m certainly not going to write Jonny off. Jonny’s countless times when people have shown them that they’re wrong, and hopefully he shows that we’re wrong as well,” Wright was quoted as saying by the BBC.

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