Selectors back Bairstow to come back as better player
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|| Desk Report ||
Jonny Bairstow will come back as a "better player" after being left out of England's Test squad for New Zealand, according to selector Ed Smith.
Bairstow, who has played 69 Tests, has passed 50 with the bat just twice since the Sri Lanka Test in November 2018.
"He's had a very busy summer, it's an opportunity for him to step back, reset and come back better," Smith added.
But Smith told BBC Sport he does not want to restrict Bairstow to a specialist batsman role on his return.
"I wouldn't want to reduce his options, I want to expand them," insisted Smith.
"With Jonny, someone who averages 50 in first-class cricket, non-Test match cricket, they are exceptional numbers. But I think what we've seen recently in an England shirt is not a reflection of what he can do."
