After learning that Yorkshire batsman Harry Brook will take the place of the injured Jonny Bairstow in the series finale against the Proteas, England captain Ben Stokes expressed excitement at the idea of Brook making his Test debut.
After Bairstow was ruled out due to a freak leg injury sustained while playing golf, Brook is the only alteration to the England XI that won the second test at Old Trafford to tie the three-match series.
Bairstow has been in outstanding form this season, hitting 1 061 runs in 10 tests, including six hundreds.
On the eve of the decisive test, Stokes remarked at The Oval on Wednesday, “Harry is someone who has been talked about a lot as representing England moving ahead.”
It’s remarkable how possibilities may occasionally be provided to individuals. He earned the chance to join the squad at first, and he deserves the chance this week.
The captain expressed his “devastation” for Bairstow, who will also miss the next T20 World Cup in Australia.
He said that “he’s been a huge reason why we’ve had such a fantastic summer.” It was an unexpected accident.
According to how our middle order has been performing this summer, Harry’s entry and the way he approaches his game with the bat in his hand seem like a very close substitute.
He will always want to engage in competitive bowling and choose the better course of action.
Being without Jonny is obviously upsetting, but I’m thrilled that a substitute has Jonny’s talent.
Brook, 23, has represented England in four T20 international matches.
The Proteas won the first test at Lord’s by an innings and 12 runs, but England quickly responded by triumphing in Manchester by an innings and 85 runs in a match that was completed in three days.
Stokes added, “We know South Africa will always remain in the game and be in the moment.
“We put the Lord’s loss behind us and focused on Manchester, so I know Dean (Elgar, the captain of the Proteas) and the South Africa squad will do the same thing here,” said the player.
“I believe that the series is better off because it is so close. I’m sure South Africa will come out swinging, but it all depends on how we answer their inquiries.
British team
Ben Stokes (captain), Ben Foakes (wkt), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Alex Lees, Ollie Pope, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach, Ollie Robinson, and James Anderson