Cricket: Root steps in for Bairstow

Batsman Joe Root has been handed a chance to impress in England's upcoming one-day international series in India after Jonny Bairstow pulled out due to family reasons.

Bairstow returned home early from the subcontinent shortly before Christmas, missing the T20 internationals after playing in only one of the four Test matches and will now spend further time away from the game. The 23-year-old, who has played in seven one-day internationals to date, had been expected to act as back-up to first-choice wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter in the ODI squad. That role passes to Jos Buttler, who donned the gloves in the recent T20 internationals, with the Somerset man having been drafted in alongside Chris Woakes when England opted to rest Jonathan Trott and James Anderson. England, who have also decided to give Kevin Pietersen a break for the five-match ODI campaign, are 7/4 with bet365 to win the series.

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