Bairstow Replaces Ballance in 3rd Ashes Squad

London: England selectors have replaced out-of-form batsman Gary Ballance with wicket-keeper batsman Jonny Bairstow for the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston.

Ballance, along with many others, was under the scanner after England's humiliating 405 runs defeat in the second Test at Lord's.

Bairstow, who has scored five centuries in the County Championship this summer and has an outstanding average of 100.66 in first-class cricket, has been included in the 13-member squad for the third Test starting on 29 July, the Guardian reported.

Meanwhile, the left-handed Ballance has scored just 134 runs in the eight innings he had played this season, including 14 in the second innings.

Earlier, former England skipper Michael Vaughan had also opined to bring in Bairstow in the playing XI and then decide whether to go for Joe Root at number four and Bairstow at five.

Meanwhile, Steven Finn has been retained as the reserve fast bowler.

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