All I want to do is play for England - Bairstow

Jonny Bairstow wants to get back in England’s Test side after being dropped for this summer’s series with the West Indies.

Bairstow, 34, was left out of Ben Stokes’ side for the three-Test series with the West Indies, which England currently lead 2-0, with the final Test starting on Friday.

Having been a key part of the side since Brendon McCullum's appointment as Test head coach in May 2022, Bairstow's omission has not wavered his interest of playing again for his country in the future, with Surrey's Jamie Smith being preferred as wicketkeeper so far this summer.

"All I want to do is play for England. That's end of," Bairstow told BBC Two when asked by former England Test captain Michael Vaughan about whether he wants to return to the Test side.

"You don't need to ask me that do you?

"I think you know me well enough and I think you've known me for long enough to know that."

Bairstow has made 100 Test appearances for England and kept wicket in all five Tests against Australia during last year's drawn Ashes series.

After being part of England's side that reached the T20 World Cup semi-finals in the Caribbean and the United States last month, Bairstow made his first appearance for any side for four weeks on Wednesday evening during the Welsh Fire's eight-wicket victory over Manchester Originals in The Hundred.

Bairstow remains focused on working his way back into Stokes' and McCullum's plans, but says his recent break from cricket allowed him to spend some family time, something he has been limited on due to commitments with England's Test and T20 sides and franchise cricket in the Indian Premier League with Punjab Kings.

"At the same time it's been a great period of time", added Bairstow.

"I had the best part of seven months away from home. Since January, I had five nights at home in my own bed since, until three weeks ago.

"That's the thing you have to sacrifice, time at home but at the same time, when you are away for that period of time, it takes its toll."