Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow are likely to be specialist batters for the last Ashes Test
because of injuries, According to England Captain Joe Root.
Stokes suffered an upper back strain during his bowling session in the fourth Test. Bairstow
sustained a sprain on his hand during his first-innings century.
The batsmen played on the last day in Sydney and helped England achieve an equal draw
and keep from losing a series 5-0.
“We’ve got just to see where they’re at,” Root said. Root.
“We need to determine what their bodies are capable of handling, and then we can
evaluate everybody.
“You have the option of picking Ben simply as a bat, and similarly Jonny too.
He’s played as a batter for a while now. “
England will need to make a minimum adjustment for the day-to-night Test that starts at
4:00 GMT on Friday Hobart in Hobart, following Jos Buttler returned to his home after
suffering an injured finger.
After participating in the Australian Big Bash League, Sam Billings, who was a part of the
team, was observed working hard at his wicket-keeping during Wednesday’s training
session.
The 30-year-old is a candidate to play his first Test match.
“He’s got an excellent understanding of the country,” Root said. Root.
“As always when he’s with the team, he’s got an enormous amount of enthusiasm and is
always smiling, and he is a fan of cricket.
“If he is given a chance, he’ll do everything he can to make it happen. “
“We must make the most of the last-day performance.’
England Batted for 91 runs on the last day of the 4th Test at Sydney, with the last-wicket
duo of Stuart Broad and James Anderson playing the last 12 balls to get the draw.
Root states that his team must “harness” that performance and move forward.
“If you look at the week that we had – whether it be Covid leading into the game, a couple
of injuries that we had to manage throughout the game as well – it shows a lot about
where we’re at as a team,” Root said. Root.
“It was following three extremely challenging games in which we’ve been underperforming
and not displayed the very best of our abilities, and we showed a lot of character.
So it will be something to work on going forward.
“The need to fight, the fight and the pride everyone displayed on the streets, and the last
day, in particular, is something we need to tap into and play with more often over five days.
“We’ve shown ourselves that we are capable of doing this today. “
“I’ll not be needing a break.’
Australia is facing fitness concerns in their way, with bowlers Mitchell Starc and Scot
Boland, who took 14-121 over the last two Tests – due to be evaluated.
Starc, who is the sole pace bowler from either side of the four Tests thus far and is the top
wicket-taker in the day-night Tests, having taken 52 wickets, says he’s “not looking for a
break.”
“It’s purely up to the selectors,” stated Starc when asked if there were any soreness or
niggles.
“I’m feeling good. But, I hope that it’s not the time to relax.
It’s my dream to play. I want to play.
I’m not asking for a break. “
Jhye Richardson, and Michael Neser, who excelled in the day-night Test at the Adelaide
Oval, are in Australia’s team to play if Boland and Starc are excluded.
Australia leads the series of five Tests 3-0 and has to make their batting lineup.
Travis Head can return following his absence from the fourth Test because Covid is his
substitute Usman Khawaja scored two-century on the SCG.
