Picking Jonny Bairstow over Ben Foakes 'right call' for England: Michael Atherton

Former England captain Michael Atherton feels the Test squad made the right decision in selecting Jonny Bairstow over Ben Foakes for the one-off Test against Ireland. Bairstow has been sidelined since September 2022 after breaking his leg and dislocating his ankle in an accident on a golf course. In his absence, Foakes performed superbly as a keeper-batter in England's Test series in Pakistan and New Zealand.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) recently announced the 15-member squad for the upcoming Test against Ireland, which is set to begin on Thursday, June 1 at the Lord's Cricket Ground. England's selectors chose Bairstow over Foakes, as the former smashed four tons in five Test innings against New Zealand and India in 2022.

Atherton stated that Foakes has done well for England, but Bairstow had proven to be an outstanding wicketkeeper-batter throughout the years. He went on to say that the keeper-batter had done it in 49 Test matches for England but hadn't done it since 2019.

“I think it is the right call and I think that is the minority view from testing the water on social media. The problem for wicketkeepers is only one person can do the job and Foakes, of course, is an outstanding wicketkeeper and he has done pretty well for England," Atherton was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

“But Jonny Bairstow, the way that he played last summer, Brendon McCullum had said that once he is fit he is going to get back into the team. He has proven himself to be an outstanding wicketkeeper-batter in the years he did it. He did it in 49 Test matches for England but hasn’t done it really since 2019," he added.

Once Bairstow is fit, I think it is right he is back in the team: Atherton

Bairstow recently made his comeback, scoring 97 runs off 88 balls for Yorkshire's second XI before playing two county championship matches against Durham and Glamorgan. Given this, Atherton stated that Bairstow suffered a severe leg fracture and that his fitness is a major concern. The former England cricketer added that once the keeper-batter is fit, it would be right that he is back in the lineup.

“That is the issue really, it is a fitness issue. He had a very bad break of his leg when he fell on the golf course and wicketkeeping is a physically arduous thing over five days. So you have to take it on trust that he is fully fit to do the job," he said.

"He has come back for Yorkshire and done a bit of keeping but not that much and the medical staff clearly know more than I do. Once he is fit, I think it is right he is back in the team and that is the only way to get him back in the team," he added.