Sorry Ben, Bairstow Can Be Our No.3 And Still Keep

In three weeks’ time, the build-up would have ended and the Ashes will be well underway. Between now and then though, England have three warm-up matches to narrow their squad down and pick an XI ready to do battle in Brisbane.

- Paul Nixon

And while all the talk has been about who will bat No.3, or who will fill Ben Stokes’ place as all-rounder, one question that hasn’t been asked is who will keep wicket. The obvious answer is Jonny Bairstow, but there have been a few murmurings that Ben Foakes may take the gloves with Jonny playing as a specialist batsman.

There’s no reason why Bairstow couldn’t do both – come in at three and keep wicket. But Surrey’s Foakes would be solid behind the stumps if that’s the way England want to go. Ben is still relatively inexperienced, having played just 77 first-class games, but the Oval is as near to an Aussie pitch as you’ll get.

I’ve spoken before about how Australia is the easiest place to keep wicket I’ve ever been to, so there should be no worries in his ability. The Kookaburra ball goes nicely in your hands and the pitches are so consistent with regular bounce and you just have so much time to move your feet.

Pitches are quicker and bounce more in Australia, and while you may think it makes standing up to the stumps for spin more difficult, it’s actually simpler because you can come up earlier. You know the pitches are going to be true, and you’ll use the carry in your momentum.