The ECB have have announced the 13-man squad for the third Ashes Test to face Australia at Edgbaston.
Yorkshire’s Jonny Bairstow has replaced the 25-year-old Gary Balance for the third Ashes to be played next Wednesday in Birmingham on July 29.
One change in the England squad for the 3rd Investec #Ashes Test at Edgbaston pic.twitter.com/C7nuXtZ43u
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 21, 2015
“Jonny has worked extremely hard at his game and his record for Yorkshire speaks for itself. He fully deserves this opportunity,” said national selector James Whitaker.
“Gary was naturally disappointed to miss out on this occasion however we feel that he will benefit from some time in county cricket to rediscover his form.
“He has already had plenty of success at international level and as selectors we are confident Gary will play a significant role for England in the future.”
Following England’s 405-run defeat in the 2nd test at Lord’s, allowed the Tourists to level-up the series at 1-1.
Bairstow has played 14 tests, his last appearance was against Australia in Sydney 2014.
England squad:
Alastair Cook (Essex)
Moeen Ali (Worcestershire)
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire)
Ian Bell (Warwickshire)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Jos Buttler (Lancashire)
Steven Finn (Middlesex)
Adam Lyth (Yorkshire)
Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)
Joe Root (Yorkshire)
Ben Stokes (Durham)
Mark Wood (Durham)