Joe Root to replace Bairstow for India ODI tour

Joe Root made his debut against India in the recently concluded Test series (FILE PHOTO)

Youngster Joe Root will replace John Bairstow for the upcoming India England ODI series in January. Johny Bairstow has asked to be given a break citing family reasons.

Neither the cleanest striker of the ball nor known for his quick scoring, Joe Root has rather been known for his patience and determination. That was what caught the English selector’s eye when they sat down to name the team for the tough Indian tour. Root had shown glimpses of brilliance in the county season and although he only had a moderate average of about 36, the selectors decided to gamble and pick him up for the sub-continent tour. The Yorkshire-man did not disappoint after he made an impressive 73 off 229 balls at Nagpur on debut and at 22 years of age, many ex-players have predicted a bright future for the youngster.

Bairstow, who is the son of former English player David Bairstow, is considered to be a real talent with the bat and made an explosive debut against India in Cardiff last year when he scored a quickfire 41 from 21 balls. However he hasn’t been able to build on that and though he was a part of England’s victorious side in the second Test in Mumbai this December, he did not really trouble the scorers in his single innings of the match. Given he is a Wicket-keeper, England will be looking to give him some much needed experience and hoping he can be the next in line to take the wicket-keeping duties from Prior after he retires.