Bairstow replaces Ballance in England Ashes squad

Adam Lyth was the other batsman perhaps most at risk of losing his place, after a torrid match at Lord’s where he made just seven runs in his two innings and dropped his opposite number David Warner on nought.

Bairstow has played 14 tests, his last appearance coming in 2014 against Australia in Sydney.

The inclusion of Bairstow, 25, is the only change to the squad beaten by 405 runs in the second Test at Lord’s where Australia levelled the series at 1-1. Under-performingIan Bell will take up the vacated No. 3 slot in the batting order in his home Test while Joe Root and Bairstow will take up positions four and five respectively.

Gillespie said: “We made a pact: the Yorkshire coaches – myself included – agreed we would not speak to him about his method and instead judge him exclusively on his returns”.

Meanwhile, Bairstow has been in stunning form for Yorkshire, scoring 139 against Worcestershire – his fifth County Championship century this season – as England were collapsing at Lord’s. He fully deserves this opportunity.

“The break ahead of the third Test will give the squad time to reflect on series so far and a chance to focus on playing the positive, confident cricket we saw in Cardiff”, Whitaker, said. He has already had plenty of success at global level and as selectors we are confident Gary will play a significant role for England in the future.

Bairstow’s previous stints in global cricket have led to questions about his ability to cope with short-pitched deliveries – something he is sure to face from Australia’s formidable fast-bowling trio of Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.

And Yorkshire coach Gillespie – a front-runner for the England job before Trevor Bayliss was appointed, wrote in The Guardian: “Jonny is in a very special place right now”.

Ballance continues to average 47.76 from 15 Tests, but has scored just one half-century in his last five Tests – the 61 he got in the first innings of the first Ashes Test in Cardiff.

“It is important that those people who don’t watch much county cricket don’t pipe up with opinions based on his past experience in Test cricket because we’re talking about a different beast right now”.