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.
Bairstow said: “The swelling has gone down. I’m going to try and keep wicket in training this afternoon as well.”
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.”
