Former England opener and coach David Lloyd has warned against asking Jonny Bairstow to replace Zak Crawley at the top of the order in the Ashes, citing Jason Roy's struggles in the 2019 series.
Bairstow enjoyed a golden summer last year, smashing 681 runs at an average of 75.66 including four centuries as England began their new era under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum with stunning victories over New Zealand, India and South Africa.
However, after he broke his leg in a freak accident while playing golf, Bairstow's replacement at number five Harry Brook has enjoyed a similarly stunning run of form.
In his first six Tests, Brook has smashed 809 runs at 89.88 including four centuries and with Bairstow set to return from his injury ahead of the Ashes, England are facing a real dilemma.
McCullum has already said there is "no doubt" Bairstow will come straight back into the side when he is fully fit, but the question is where exactly he fits into the line-up. There is no obvious open spot in the middle order, meaning there have been suggestions Bairstow will either replace wicketkeeper Ben Foakes or be asked to open like he does in white-ball cricket.
However, Lloyd, who played nine Test matches before coaching England for three years, believes that would not be "fair" to Bairstow. England tried something similar in the 2019 Ashes when Roy was picked off the back of an excellent 50-over World Cup, but he managed just 110 runs at 13.75 and was never picked again.
"You must be patient when you put a young player into Test cricket, but Brook's the direct opposite of Zak Crawley," Lloyd said in his column for the Daily Mail. "One can't get a run; the other's a superstar.
"Crawley's form means there is an opening for an opener. With Brook immovable at five, I wouldn't be surprised if Jonny Bairstow is asked to fill it — but I don't think that's fair on him.
"He had a sensational time in that middle order last year and we had a cunning plan the last time Australia toured, didn't we, Baldrick? Jason Roy up top…."
