Jonny Bairstow is keen to reclaim his place in England's Test team
Jonny Bairstow is keen to reclaim his place in England’s Test team (Picture: Getty)

Jonny Bairstow insists he is taking inspiration from Jos Buttler and Jason Roy as he looks to reclaim his place in England’s Test team.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Bairstow was left out of England’s Test squad for the upcoming tour to New Zealand having endured an underwhelming Ashes series.

The 30-year-old scored 214 runs at an average of 24 as Australia retained the urn despite drawing the series 2-2.

Jos Buttler earned a Test recall through one-day performances
Jos Buttler earned a Test recall through one-day performances (Picture: Getty)

Buttler will keep wicket for England in Bairstow’s absence, having been recalled to the Test side in 2018 off the back of a brilliant run in white-ball cricket.

Jason Roy also earned a place in England’s Test squad due to his performances in the shorter formats and Bairstow hopes to embark on a similar journey back after his axing.

‘If you’re scoring runs, no matter the format, I think it definitely influences certain things,’ Bairstow, who was signed by Welsh Fire for next summer’s Hundred competition, told Sky Sports.

‘Obviously we saw Jason [Roy] in the summer getting picked off the ODIs, a couple of years ago we saw Jos coming back into the Test arena after impressing in the IPL.

‘In previous years that’s what’s happened – but in no way am I saying that’s going to happen.

‘I want to be playing and representing England in all formats. That’s the nature of me, that’s who I am.

Jason Roy was also given a Test chance on the back of white-ball form
Jason Roy was also given a Test chance on the back of white-ball form (Picture: Getty)

‘I want to work hard in the time that I’ve got and hopefully impress enough to be in contention come South Africa.’

Despite revealing his disappointment at being dropped, Bairstow says the time away from England’s Test squad presents him with a chance to work on his game.

He added: ‘I’ve got an opportunity to go away and just work on a few things which, with the scheduling and playing all three formats over the last four or five years, has been pretty tough to do.

Bairstow is determined to reclaim his place in the Test side
Bairstow is determined to reclaim his place in the Test side (Picture: Getty)

‘I think the last time I got the chance to do that was probably 2015. To refresh and refocus, I think, is an important thing to be able to do.

‘I’m excited about being able to have a little period of time to be able to work on my own things and not necessarily think about it being watched on telly or have it being stripped down to say he’s doing this or that.

‘We all know it’s quite easy to stop recordings in certain frames in order to say it’s X, Y or Z. I know what I need to do and I’m excited about what I need to work on.

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‘I don’t mind [whether I keep or play as a specialist batsman]. I just want to return to the squad to try and get back in the side.

‘Hopefully an opportunity arises and hopefully I’ll be able to take that when it does.’

England’s first T20 match against New Zealand takes place in Christchurch on November 1. The Test series starts three weeks later.