By Betsefy
England captain Joe Root has suggested that Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow remain in contention to feature in the fifth Ashes Test.
While England claimed a spirited draw in the fourth Test, it came at a cost with Stokes, Bairstow and Jos Buttler all suffering injuries, the latter already travelling home with a broken finger.
However, despite carrying a side strain and hand injury respectively, Stokes and Bairstow may feature in the team as batsmen, rather than as an all-rounder and wicket-keeper.
Root is quoted by BBC Sport as saying: “We’ve got to just see where they’re at. We have to see what their bodies can handle and then assess everyone.
“You certainly can pick Ben just as a bat and similarly Jonny as well – he’s been playing as a batter anyway.”
Sam Billings, who has recently linked up with the squad, or Ollie Pope are competing to take the spot of Buttler behind the stumps.
