Jonny Bairstow focusing on his batting ahead of England Test return

The Yorkshireman is quarantining in a Chennai hotel after rejoining the tour to India following a pre-arranged period of rest.

England are giving all their players a break from bubble life this winter in a rest and rotation policy designed to combat a busy schedule.

Bairstow’s turn came after the Sri Lanka series, which meant that he missed the first two Tests of the ongoing four-match rubber which continues with the day/night third Test in Ahmedabad on Wednesday week.

Speaking during the live television coverage on Tuesday, Bairstow said: “Just to have a bit of time around the family was really important to refresh mentally, to refresh physically, and to really look forward to what is going to be a fascinating end to this series and also the T20s and ODIs going forward.

“People say there’s no difference going from a bubble into a lockdown at home, but there’s a huge amount of difference. You’re in your own house, in your own bed, you’re able to cook the food you want to have; you’re not just eating off a buffet every night.

“The bubbles are very tough. Not being allowed out of the hotels. Your interactions with each other. You’re not really allowed to spend much time with each other because if you do, and one person gets it, you’re classed as a close contact so therefore you have to self-isolate for 10 days.

“You’re not allowed out of the hotel at all and you’re confined to certain areas of the hotel, so it can be tricky at times and it can be exhausting as well mentally.”

Bairstow is currently undertaking six days of quarantine during which he must return three negative tests. His first two were negative with the third scheduled for Tuesday.

Bairstow, who has been passing the time watching Netflix and the Six Nations as well as keeping a close eye on the second Test, will return to the side as a specialist batsman with Ben Foakes now enjoying a run as wicketkeeper in the absence of Jos Buttler, who is rested from the final three Tests.

It is no secret that Bairstow wants the gloves back but he was diplomatic when he said: “I’m just focusing on my batting at this moment in time. If the chance comes again to keep wicket, then so be it. Foakesy’s kept really well in this game and we know how good Foakesy is with the gloves.

“It’s great to see him out on the pitch and doing well, but Jos also kept really well in Sri Lanka and has been keeping well and scoring runs over the last 18 months.”

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