Former England captain Naseer Hussain contends that by deciding to rest Jonny Bairstow for the first two tests of the four-match series against India, beginning in Chennai on February 5, the selectors made a mistake.
After Bairstow scored 47 and 35 not out in England’s win over Sri Lanka in the first test in Galle last week, Hussain called on the England selectors to “rethink” their decision.
The decision to rest Bairstow is part of the player management policy of the England and Wales Cricket Board, which emphasises giving adequate rest in a packed calendar year to every English cricketer, including 17 Tests and the ICC T20 World Cup.
I’d have to rethink. What the players have been through (during these COVID times) must be an absolute nightmare. They had the whole summer last year, and then they had the IPL. Then it was South Africa, then Sri Lanka, then India, then again with the IPL. Then it was South Africa, then Sri Lanka, then India, then again with the IPL.
I get that and I don’t downplay it at all. For the selectors, it must be a nightmare, but for that first India Test, should you have your best side?
“Should you be resting or rotating for India or do you turn up to the first Test of that India series, an iconic series, and pick your best side?”
The 52-year-old former batsman said that after his incredible 2-1 series win in Australia, the national selectors also owe an answer to English fans by not choosing the best side against an in-form Indian team, high on trust.
The argument may well be for England fans switching on when it turns and England is 20-2. I want to see our best batsman in Bairstow against spin or one of them.
Would we send our best side if the next test after this series was Brisbane in the Ashes? So why don’t we send our best team when it’s the first test against India, one of the great sides?
