Jonny Bairstow has claimed that he is in the "best form" of his career following his recall to the England squad.
The Yorkshire batsman will replace Gary Ballance in the side for the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston next week as England look to recover from a crushing 405-run defeat at Lord's last week.
Bairstow has not played Test cricket since the final match of England's 2013-14 Ashes defeat Down Under, but he is determined to rise to the challenge.
"I am very pleased to have been called up. Consistency-wise I think I am in my best form and striking the ball well and hopefully this will continue," the 25-year-old is quoted as saying by PA.
"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. [Ballance] has scored a heck of a lot of runs over a short period of time. But it is just one of those disappointing things and, hopefully, I will be able to get in and score runs.
"I have been very positive at the crease this season and will try and take that into the Ashes series. You cannot say how you will play until you are there but I will certainly relish the challenge."
Bairstow has scored five centuries in the LV= County Championship this season.
Barney Corkhill
