5 players to look out for in the England-Sri Lanka Test series

Jonny Bairstow

When you know that a slot is available, there are two things you can do. You can showcase your pedigree by a string of consistent scores or break the door down with performances that absolutely warrant your selection in the side.

The latter is the option that Jonny Bairstow has gone with, ever since it became clear that the wicketkeeping slot is free, thanks to Jos Buttler's indifferent form in the longest format of the game. After coming into the England side on the back of sheer volume of runs, the 26-year-old has managed to hold onto his place with performances that have only offered glimpses of just what he is capable of.

Yet, scores of 246 and 198 in his last six first-class innings are a reminder that he is more than capable of scoring lots of runs and that it is just a matter of time before he improves on his highest Test score of 150. England will be hoping that it will happen against a Sri Lankan side that is still in transition.