Jonny Bairstow believes England will relish a new era under captain Joe Root

English wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow has backed their newly elected captain Joe Root saying that he can count on the experience of his teammates as he embarks on the journey as England’s Test captain. The Three Lions are scheduled to face South Africa in a home series next followed by a series against West Indies.

Root replaced Alastair Cook as skipper in February and will lead the squad in the four-Test series starting at Lord’s on July 6. The Lord’s game will be Root’s first match as a Test captain after he was appointed in place of Alastair Cook. England players are currently playing in the County Championship to prepare for the first pink-ball Test in the country.

Bairstow also pressed the case of Gary Ballance’s return to the Test side after the Yorkshire skipper scored 815 County Championship runs at an average of 101.87 this season.

Speaking to Yorkshire Post about the prospects of the new era under captain Joe Root, Bairstow said, “It’s something that’s really exciting him. I know that, as a side, we’re really looking forward to playing under him, and there’s going to be people around him he can bounce things off.”

“He’s going to put his own stamp and his own authority on it, and that’s really encouraging. I’m sure he’ll do a brilliant job.”

Injury scare for England

Meanwhile, joining England’s growing list of injured fast bowlers is pacer Jake Ball who suffered an injury while bowling for Nottinghamshire in the County Championships. He joins Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes on the list, with Ben Stokes also suffering the similar fate. Woakes is speculated to return to the nets at Edgbaston this week after suffering a side injury in England’s Champions Trophy opener.

Veteran pacer James Anderson, on the other hand, is just two games into a comeback from a groin injury. However, England will have to widen their pool of fast bowlers this summer with seven Tests to be played in just over eight weeks.