England have brought in batsman Jonny Bairstow to replace his Yorkshire team mate Gary Ballance in the only change to their squad for the third Ashes Test against Australia starting next Wednesday at Edgbaston.
Ballance paid the price for laboring to 23 and 14 in his two innings during England's heavy 405-run defeat in the second Test at Lord's, which allowed Australia to level the series at 1-1.
Bairstow believes he is in the best form of his career after making five hundreds for reigning champions Yorkshire in the County Championship where he averages over 100 so far this season, Bairstow believes he is in the best form of his career.
Bairstow, the son of late former England wicket-keeper David Bairstow, now has a chance to improve on a modest Test average of 26.95 in 14 matches, the last against Australia in Sydney in 2014 when an England defeat meant they suffered a 5-0 Ashes whitewash.
Bairstow has played 14 Tests.
"I am very pleased to have been called up," Bairstow said.
"Consistency-wise I think I am in my best form and striking the ball well and hopefully this will continue. Playing international cricket is a great challenge but that is why we play the game.
"If you don't challenge yourself you will never find anything out about yourself.”
"I am desperately disappointed for Gary. He has scored a heck of a lot of runs for England over a short period of time,” Bairstow added.
Bairstow's previous stints in international cricket have seen questions raised over his ability to play short-pitched bowling -- something he is sure to face from the likes of Australia's Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.
National selector James Whitaker said the break ahead of the third test would give the squad time to reflect on the series so far and said Ballance still had a role to play in England's future.
Turning to Bairstow, he added: "Jonny has worked extremely hard at his game and his record for Yorkshire speaks for itself. He fully deserves this opportunity.
"Gary was naturally disappointed to miss out on this occasion, however we feel that he will benefit from some time in county cricket to rediscover his form.
"He has already had plenty of success at international level and as selectors we are confident Gary will play a significant role for England in the future."
