NEWS
Follow UsEngland wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow acknowledges that it is not ideal to lose both Stuart Broad and James Anderson to injuries, but at the same time it gives an opportunity for someone else to make an impact.
India and England played out a draw in the first Test at Trent Bridge and the action now shifts to Lord's for the second Test, starting Thursday (August 12).
Speaking of the possibility of going into the crucial Test with both Anderson and Broad, Bairstow said, "It's a big loss for the team -- both have over 1000 wickets between them -- but it's also an opportunity for others, just like it was against Pakistan recently."
"There is going to be injury, illness, you have to be adaptable within the group, we are playing a professional sport," he added at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday (August 11).
However, Bairstow was not able to confirm or deny if the two bowlers will indeed be a part of the XI. "We don't really have much information. We know that Broad has gone for scans, we don't know anything else," Bairstow said.
England have added fast bowler Saqib Mahmood as cover. They also have the fast bowling duo of Craig Overton and Mark Wood to pick from.
Bairstow was given a send-off by India pacer Mohammed Siraj in the second innings. However, the England batter says that there were no words exchanged between the two players. "There was absolutely nothing in there -- he did not say anything to me, I did not say anything. Don't think there was anything verbal specific," Bairstow said.
After Bairstow and skipper Joe Root had carved out a nice, little partnership to frustrate the Indians, Siraj sent back the former with a short ball and had his finger on his lips as the batsman walked back in disbelief after failing to connect a pull shot.
Returning to the Test fold, Bairstow said the last few months have been "very happy" from a personal point of view, including his "pleasing" outing in the IPL and The Hundred. Apart from Root, Bairstow was among the very few England batsmen who appeared to look confident against Jasprit Bumrah and Co. in the first Test.
"I spent a decent amount of time at the crease though I did not get big scores. If I keep doing what I was doing in those two innings, hopefully, I will do well.
"I am excited to be back in the Test side, first full house at Lord's in a long time (in the second Test). As I mentioned, if I keep that mindest, approach, that's going to be the best way forward for me in the near future. It's (Test cricket) is different, I am just looking to enjoy."
(With inputs from PTI)
