Jonny Bairstow determined to continue rich form in Ashes

Birmingham, July 23 - England batsman Jonny Bairstow is determined to continue his rich vein of form after earning a place in the squad for the third Ashes Test against Australia starting from July 29.

Bairstow was called in to replace an out-of form Gary Ballance. Bairstow's has been in stupendous form in the English county championships this season that has prompted the selectors to include the 25-year-old in the 13-man England squad.  The five-match Ashes series is currently level at 1-1.

"I am very pleased to have been called up," Bairstow was quoted as saying by the ecb.co.uk on Wednesday.

"I'm pretty pleased with the form I'm in but it's obviously going to be different challenges and expectations.  "It might be completely different next week - I might get no runs, I might get some runs - who knows. I'm really pleased to have scored the runs that I have and I'll hopefully stay in that kind of form for the rest of the season, and longer," he said.

Bairstow sympathised with Ballance, who has made four centuries in his 15 Tests but has struggled for form this summer, yielding just 134 runs in eight innings. 

However, Bairstow's main focus is nailing down a regular spot in the team for himself.  "I'm disappointed for Gaz who has had to drop out," Bairstow said.  "But it's something that's quite exciting and I'm really looking forward to getting my teeth into."

 (IANS)