Why does Jonny Bairstow bat ahead of Jos Buttler?

[The_Odd_One]

I'm not sure why would a specialist keeper bat ahead of a batsman who was selected for his batting in a test match?

Something does not seem right. Why is Bairstow not willing to stop keeping wickets and play as a batsman which is much more needed for England. Is it his way to keep his place safe?

 

[introvert]

1) Because he is better test batsman and wasted at 7 often due to playing rescuing innings. England realises that so brought buttler at 7 to promote bairstow at 5.
2) there is not much difference between bairstow and buttler's wicketkeeping capabilities if England wants quality wicketkeeper to free bairstow then they should have gone for ben foakes instead of buttler.
Bairstow also putted lots of hardwork and improved his keeping and in no mood of reliving from wk duty.

If I am not wrong bairstow's father
"david" who played for England was also wk & later committed sucide due to depression in 1998.

so he is brought up watching his father keeping wickets and also I think emotionally attached with wk position. After putting lots of effort in improving his wicket keeping he does not want to give up either.

So It is upto team management whether they can share wk duty between both or force change.

 

[Robert]

I would play Bairstow, Buttler and Foakes.

I can remember Bairstow’s dad. He played a few tests and ODIs.

 

[hadi123]

It's the right decision. Bairstow is a proper batsman, I'm surprised he failed in this match. Baristow is more capable of making big scores.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Bairstow is a better test batsman than anyone in the current side,bar Root.He deserves to bat above Buttler.

 

[Hasan123]

Buttler should take the gloves and Bairstow should play as a specialist bat. I agree with OP, Bairstow is using the gloves as a way to keep his spot secure imo. He's good enough to make the team on batting merit.

 

[Syed1]

England need to go back to the 2016 formula


Cook
Perhaps Haseeb as second opener, or anyone else or even a plank of wood to replace Stoneman (ironic)
Root
Malan
Bairstow
Buttler
Moeen
Woakes
Rashid (or any good spinner who can bat)
Broad
Anderson