Jonny Bairstow returns as England’s keeper-batsman for pre-Ashes Test against Ireland

England have taken the ‘seriously tough decision’ to drop Ben Foakes and have handed Jonny Bairstow the gloves on his return to face Ireland and then in the Ashes.

Managing director Rob Key announced on Tuesday that Foakes has been left out of a 15-man squad to face Ireland in England’s Ashes warm-up Test at Lord’s on June 1, with Bairstow fully fit after a freak accident on a golf course left him with a badly broken leg.

That means Bairstow will return for the first time since starring for England with six centuries last year in the dual role as keeper-batsman he favoured before the re-emergence of Foakes left the Yorkshireman with a specialist batting role. 

He will probably bat at seven with his old position of five now taken by Harry Brook.

‘It was a seriously tough decision to leave Ben Foakes out of the squad,’ said Key. 

Jonny Bairstow returns to the England squad to face Ireland at Lord’s after recovering from his broken leg and dislocated ankle 

He has returned to action for Yorkshire in recent weeks just in time for this summer’s Ashes

Ben Foakes has been left out of the squad entirely for the Ireland Test despite strong form

England confirmed that Jofra Archer has suffered another stress fracture to his elbow

‘He has been excellent for England in the last year but Jonny Bairstow is one of the best players in the world whose performances last summer epitomised what we are about.’

There was also another huge blow revealed by England on Tuesday when it was announced Jofra Archer has suffered another stress fracture in the right elbow that has required five operations.

Archer returned from the IPL early to nurse the injury and has now been officially ruled out of the Ashes and the whole of this summer, leaving him with a fight to be involved in England’s defence of the 50-over World Cup in India in October. 

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Realistically, and desperately sadly, it is difficult to ever see him playing Test cricket again.

‘It has been a frustrating and upsetting period for Jofra,’ said Key. ‘He was making good progress until a recurrence of the elbow injury which kept him out for an extended period previously. 

‘We wish him the best of luck with his recovery and I’m sure we will see Jofra back to his best and winning games for England, whatever the format.’

There are some intriguing selections and decisions in England’s first squad of the summer, notably Ollie Pope being officially made vice-captain.

That, and the inclusion of Essex batsman Dan Lawrence in the squad, raises the possibility that captain Ben Stokes will miss the Ireland game after suffering a toe injury in the IPL and still nursing the serious knee problem that has seriously affected his bowling.

Mark Wood (left) and Chris Woakes (right) take their place in England’s bowling attack again

Jimmy Anderson is in the squad for the Ireland match despite suffering a minor groin injury

Captain Ben Stokes may sit out the Ireland Test in order to be fit in time for the Ashes

It is inconceivable to imagine Stokes being absent for the opening Ashes Test at Edgbaston on June 16, even if he plays just as a batsman, but he has already shown disdain for warm-up matches and might just sit out the four-day game against the Irish.

Chris Woakes returns to the Test squad for the first time since March 2022 and is in contention, with Archer and Olly Stone missing, to make his first appearance on home soil since August 2022. 

Jimmy Anderson, who suffered a ‘minor’ groin injury playing for Lancashire against Somerset last week, is fit and included in the 15 but may be rested.