England Selector Confident Jonny Bairstow Will Battle Back Despite Omission from Limited-Overs Squads

England chief selector Luke Wright has expressed confidence that Jonny Bairstow will "fight his way back" into the national team after the batter was left out of the squads for the upcoming limited-overs series against Australia. Bairstow, along with experienced campaigners Moeen Ali and Chris Jordan, will not feature in England's first white-ball fixtures since their T20 World Cup campaign.

The selection of five uncapped players for the September series marks a significant change in England's approach, aiming to inject fresh talent into the squad. Despite his omission, Wright is optimistic about Bairstow's future prospects.

"One of Jonny's great strengths is how much he wants to play," Wright said. "He's hugely disappointed. We just want him back to being one of the best players in the world. He had that horrific injury, and that’s been the message. Can we get you back to where you were pre-injury?"

Bairstow has struggled for form since returning from a leg injury sustained in 2022. Wright acknowledged the challenges faced by the 34-year-old but is confident in Bairstow's resilience. "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," Wright added.

Wright also indicated that the door is not closed for 37-year-old Moeen Ali or 35-year-old Chris Jordan. Both players have been stalwarts in England's limited-overs setup over the past decade. "I certainly won’t be saying that's the end of them," Wright said. "Chris Jordan was left out last winter and then still ended up going to the World Cup. They're all fine cricketers. But right now, we just want to give some others opportunities."

Reflecting on his role as selector and the post-World Cup refresh, Wright noted the abundance of talent in England's cricketing landscape. "The one thing we don't lack in England is the amount of talent that's around," he stated. "More than anything, the character these young players show in taking the game on... What a great time to be in English cricket."

Captain Jos Buttler, who missed The Hundred due to a calf injury, is expected to be fit to lead the side against Australia. Wright reassured fans that Buttler is "tracking nicely" and is working hard to be ready for the series. "I can't see any reason why he won’t be fit to play," Wright added.

With new faces set to make their mark and experienced players poised to return, England's limited-overs cricket is bracing for an exciting phase of transition and renewal.