Jonny Bairstow still hopes he can keep wicket for England in the fourth Test at Southampton despite his broken finger.
It was understood, when England announced their 14-man squad last week, that the best Bairstow could manage here was to play as a specialist batsman as the hosts bid to clinch the Specsavers series by going 3-1 up.
But Bairstow was planning to test the injury with his wicketkeeping gloves on in training at the Ageas Bowl on Tuesday – raising the possibility he, rather than Jos Buttler, may yet be behind the stumps against India.
Buttler took over from Bairstow after the Yorkshireman injured his left middle finger, taking a delivery from James Anderson during England’s heavy defeat at Trent Bridge.
The 28-year-old added: “You obviously want to play, so If I’m not able to keep wicket then I would like to think I’ll be a specialist batsman.
“But at the same time I’m desperate to try and keep my place as the wicketkeeper.
“I’m very, very keen to keep my spot as the wicketkeeper – because I would like to think it’s gone pretty well over the last 38/39 Test matches that I’ve been keeping for England.”
