Brilliant Bairstow earns call as England switch to one-day focus

Bairstow has been named in a 13-man squad for the match in Dublin following a string of outstanding displays for Yorkshire and England Lions.

The 21-year-old has scored 1,122 runs in 13 first-class matches this summer, 579 runs in one-day cricket and also kept wicket in splendid fashion.

It is deserved recognition for a man destined for a long and successful international career.

“I’m obviously really pleased to be selected and it’s something I’ve been working very hard towards,” said Bairstow. “Hopefully, I can go over there and, if chosen, do myself proud.

“I’m pleased with the way the season has gone and, hopefully, I can continue to do well.

“It was very unexpected to get the call-up and I’m absolutely delighted.”

Bairstow is one of four uncapped players in the squad along with Leicestershire’s James Taylor and Durham’s Ben Stokes and Scott Borthwick.

The quartet have caught the eye with their performances at county level and for England Lions, with Bairstow scoring 50 and 109 not out for the Lions against the Sri Lanka A side at Scarborough earlier this month and also impressing in the one-day series against the same opponents.

England perceive Bairstow not only as a prodigious talent but as a “game player” – a man with the ability to read a match well.

They see him not only as a skilful cricketer but an intelligent character.

“It was a great experience to play for the Lions and now it’s great to get this extra recognition,” added Bairstow, whose call-up means he will be unavailable for the County Championship match against Warwickshire at Headingley Carnegie starting tomorrow.

“The England teams in general have had a fantastic summer and it’s been very enjoyable to play for the Lions.

“But I’m not going to look too far ahead. I just try to take every innings as a fresh start, which is all I’ve done with Yorkshire and the Lions.”

Bairstow has enjoyed a splendid few months for club and country.

He scored his maiden first-class century against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge in May – converting it into a double ton for good measure.

His maiden one-day hundred followed against Middlesex at Lord’s earlier this month when he made a scintillating 114.

And although his class and power at the crease has dominated attention, his wicket keeping has also been richly impressive.

“I’ve been very pleased with my keeping and it’s something I’ve worked very hard on,” he added.

“I’m happy with the way the ball has been going into the gloves and hopefully that will continue.

“I’m still learning the game and just trying to work as hard as I can.

“That’s all I can do really.”

England will be captained in Dublin by Middlesex batsman Eoin Morgan, who was born in the city.

Morgan, 24, is vice-captain of England’s Twenty20 team and played for Ireland in the 2007 World Cup before pledging himself to the England cause.

England have decided to rest regular one-day international captain Alastair Cook, along with Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann and James Anderson.

They have taken the decision with an eye on the forthcoming five-match ODI series against India, the squad for which will be announced on Friday.

England national selector Geoff Miller commented: “The squad we’re taking to Ireland involves a number of exciting young England players as we rest several players who are currently involved in the npower Test series against India.

“By resting several players that have played international cricket since the start of the summer, the opportunity has arisen for a number of talented up-and-coming players to continue their development on the international stage.

“We know from previous encounters that Ireland are a tough ODI outfit and we’ll be fielding a very strong England side that will need to play well.

“We’re also presented with the opportunity to provide Eoin Morgan with further leadership experience and I know he is very much looking forward to assuming the captaincy and developing his leadership credentials while in charge of a young England squad.”

Jonathan Trott is in the squad following his recovery from a shoulder injury.

The party will be led by England assistant coach Richard Halsall, with team director Andy Flower having been handed a rest ahead of the NatWest Twenty20 international against India on August 31.

England squad versus Ireland: Eoin Morgan (captain), Jonny Bairstow, Ravi Bopara, Scott Borthwick, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Craig Kieswetter, Graham Onions, Samit Patel, Ben Stokes, James Taylor, Jonathan Trott, Chris Woakes.