Batsman Jonny Bairstow replaces Gary Ballance as England made one change to their squad for the third Ashes cricket Test against Australia beginning next Wednesday at Edgbaston.
The dropped England batsman Gary Ballance. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Ballance paid the price for labouring to 23 and 14 in his two innings during England's heavy 405-run defeat in the second Test at Lord's, which allowed Australia to level the series at 1-1.
Although Ballance made an important 61 in the first innings in Cardiff, forming a stand of 163 with Root which turned England's innings around from 43 for 3, he has had his technique picked apart by Australia's pace bowlers as had been the case in the previous series against New Zealand.
Only once in his last 10 Test innings has he reached 30 and, on five of those occasions, he had been bowled.
Bairstow has played 14 Tests, his last appearance coming in 2014 against Australia in Sydney.
England selector James Whitaker says the break ahead of the third test will give the squad time to reflect on the series so far.
He said Ian Bell will move up the order to bat at three followed by Joe Root with Jonny Bairstow coming in at five.
Whitaker said Bairstow has worked extremely hard at his game and his record for Yorkshire speaks for itself.
Bairstow, who played the last of his 14 Tests against Australia, in Sydney, has been in stellar form this season.
His hundred against Worcestershire in the current round of Championship matches was his fifth of the season and overall he has made 906 runs in the Championship at 100.66. He also made a successful return to the England side for the deciding ODI against New Zealand, at Chester-le-Street, where he scored an unbeaten 83 off 60 balls to secure victory.
The remainder of the squad is unchanged with Adil Rashid and Steven Finn retaining their spots in the 13-man party as England aim to respond to their 405-run mauling at Lord's.
