Bairstow deserves another chance to show class

The Tykes batsman is included in the 14-man squad for the final NatWest Series match at Headingley Carnegie tomorrow and will no doubt be grateful for the chance to put the tepid start to his Test career behind him.

Bairstow averaged just 12.66 runs during the three Tests against the tourists, leaving many to question whether he could deliver his undoubted ability when it comes to the biggest of stages.

He impressively averaged 45.50 runs from just six England Twenty20 games and 22.50 in the same number of one-day internationals, in India last November.

Moxon feels the 22-year-old will thrive again if he receives the nod and told the Yorkshire Post: “Hopefully Jonny will get a chance.Obviously, the Tests didn’t go according to plan for him so he’ll be keen to show what he can do in the one-day format.

“I’m sure he will, and he just needs to get some time in the middle. Hopefully he will against the West Indies.”

Moxon – whose Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale has been reprimanded by the ECB for showing dissent during the Twenty20 game against Durham last week – says Bairstow has responded well since the disappointment of his meagre Test contribution.

“Jonny’s been fine,” he said. “We’ve not seen much of him but he played well in our game against Leicestershire on Sunday.

“Hopefully, he’ll get that chance with England and the weather will stay dry so we can get a full house at Headingley and help the club coffers, as it is much-needed.”

Around 1,000 tickets are still available for the final ODI with England already in an unassailable 2-0 lead.

Unfortunately, fellow Yorkshire star Tim Bresnan will not be on show as the all-rounder was left out as part of the selectors’ much-maligned rotation policy.

Moxon said: “They’ve been resting (Stuart) Broad and (James) Anderson in previous games so I just think it’s Bressie’s turn.

“I suppose he will be disappointed with it being at Headingley but that’s the policy at the moment and there’s a lot of cricket left to play this summer.”

Bresnan, Broad and Graeme Swann – the only three remaining England regulars for Tests, ODIs and Twenty20 – have been omitted with young paceman Stuart Meaker, all-rounder Chris Woakes and off-spinner James Tredwell drafted in.

Coach Andy Flower’s belief in trying to protect his most skilled operators amid the hectic international schedule has met with some criticism.

In the case of Bresnan, Yorkshire fans will certainly be upset at not seeing one of their own firing in at Leeds tomorrow.

However, while understanding the argument, in-form batsman Ian Bell believes disappointment will be offset by the possible inclusion of some stars of the future.

“Of course, I have some sympathy,” he said. “It has slightly weakened our attack but I still think it is a team that can go out and beat the West Indies.

“There’s no doubt people want to come to see the Broads, (James) Andersons and Bresnans. But they will be seeing young, exciting guys who will be big players for England over the next few years. When I played for the Lions, Meaker is genuinely fast – so it will be exciting to see him have a go.

“Looking down the line, at World Cups and Champions Trophies, it’s great to give these guys an opportunity and to gain some more experience.”

With five ODIs against Australia and then three Tests against world-beating England’s nearest pursuers South Africa all to come in the next two months, he can see Flower’s reasoning.

“There’s this big series against Australia coming up, and South Africa after that,” said Bell, who has returned to the top of the 50-over order in Kevin Pietersen’s absence with a century and a half-century in consecutive victories.

“It’s a good option to let them have a bit of a breather. The key to our success in one-day cricket is having five out-and-out world-class bowlers.

“So if we want to beat the Australians, we want these guys fit and fresh and ready to go. For the three guys who play in all three forms of the game... it’s going to be crucial.”

Meanwhile, Gale was reprimanded for a Level One breach of the ECB disciplinary code.

He was reported by umpires David Millns and Peter Willey for “showing dissent at an umpire’s decision by word or action” during Friday’s narrow defeat at Headingley.

Yorkshire were seething twice during the final over of an unsuccessful pursuit of Durham’s 143 .

They felt a shot from Azeem Rafiq had reached the boundary despite it not being given and were stunned when a ball from Scott Borthwick, left by Rafiq, was not called wide.

The penalty remains on Gale’s record for two years.