England in good shape ahead of Champions Trophy and busy summer, says Jonny Bairstow

21 Mar 2017 | Cricket
Jonny Bairstow says England\'s performances in the West Indies showed their strength in depth heading into a busy summer of one-dayers.

England won 3-0 in the Caribbean without Bairstow, who was in the touring party but could not force his way into a winning line-up either as batsman or wicketkeeper.

The Test star was "naturally frustrated" at missing out despite scoring 86 as an opener in a warm-up game.

But with the ICC Champions Trophy the main prize on offer in the early part of the summer he was encouraged by his team-mates' dominance on the back of defeat in India.

"It's great to see us doing so well leading into the Champions Trophy and on from there," said Bairstow, who was speaking to Sky Sports News HQ from the London Stadium, where he was promoting the England and Wales Cricket Board's All Star initiative.

"Naturally it's frustrating," he said of his own lack of involvement. "All the time you want to be playing, and after doing well in a warm-up game it's unfortunate to miss out, but it's important to have strength in depth.

"Moving forward into the Champions Trophy we know how important the squad is going to be, so hopefully we do well in that competition and if the opportunity arises I'll try to take it.

"I'm not too sure you can say we'll start as favourites. It's the top eight in the world, so it'll be a tough competition."

England face New Zealand in a group game at The SSE Swalec on Tuesday, 6th June - a new release of tickets will become available on Wednesday 5th April.  

England also play in Cardiff against South Africa in the third T20 International on Sunday 25th June. Tickets are available here – www.glamorgancricket.co.uk/tickets