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Jonny Bairstow in, Gary Ballance out of England Ashes squad

England make one squad change for the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston, which sees Jonny Bairstow come in for Gary Ballance.

Jonny Bairstow has replaced Gary Ballance in the England squad for the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston.

Following the 405-run defeat at the hands of Australia on Sunday, there had been widespread suggestions that Ballance would lose his place in the team having scored 0, 61, 23 and 14 in the series so far.

The ECB have now confirmed that the 25-year-old has been omitted, with his position having gone to Yorkshire teammate Bairstow.

For Bairstow, his recall to the Test squad has come as recognition to his form this year in the County Championship, where he has averaged over 100.

"Jonny has worked extremely hard at his game and his record for Yorkshire speaks for itself. He fully deserves this opportunity," said national selector James Whitaker.

"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."

Whittaker also confirmed that in the absence of Ballance, Ian Bell would bat at number three, with Joe Root at four and Bairstow at five.

England squad to face Australia in Birmingham on July 29: Alastair Cook (Essex), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Adam Lyth (Yorkshire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Mark Wood (Durham)

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Australia's Mitchell Marsh (L) celebrates bowling out Englands Captain Alastair Cook (down) on the third day of the second Ashes cricket test match between England and Australia at Lord's cricket ground in London, on July 18, 2015
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