Jonny Bairstow returns to the Test fold following a broken leg at the expense of Ben Foakes as England announced a 15-member squad for the solitary Test against Ireland. Also returning to the national fold is seamer Chris Woakes, for the first time since March 2022, while Jofra Archer has been sidelined from the rest of the summer after a flare-up of his stress fracture.
Archer returned home midway through the ongoing Indian Premier League and recent scans revealed he has sustained a recurrence of a stress fracture to his right elbow. The pacer will now nurse his latest injury with the England and Sussex medical teams.
Bairstow could feel the disappointment Foakes would have to endure after being snubbed despite having put up noteworthy performances in recent times, adding that the fellow glovesman would soon find his way back into the mix.
England Men’s Test Squad: Ben Stokes (C), James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
🗣️ "It's not up to me those decisions"
Jonny Bairstow says he knows how Ben Foakes feels after he was left out of England's Test match against Ireland… pic.twitter.com/mN8MfbA9VO
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) May 17, 2023