Jonny Bairstow added to England Test squad as cover for Joe Denly

It is hoped that Denly will be fit to play in England’s second practice match, which starts on November 15

Jonny Bairstow has been added to England’s Test squad for the two-match series against New Zealand as cover for Joe Denly.

The Kent batsman was ruled out of the five-match T20I series before it began after sustaining ligament damage to his right ankle during a training session as he attempted to take a catch by the boundary rope.

He took some part in training in Napier on Thursday as the squad practiced ahead of the fourth T20I, even batting in the nets at one stage.

It is hoped, though, that Denly will be fit to play in England’s second practice match, which starts on November 15.

However, Bairstow, who was only due to be part of the squad for the white-ball phase of the tour, will now remain with the squad for the two warm-up matches in case Denly, who made 94 in the final Ashes Test to seal his place on England's winter tour, does not recover in time.

The first practice match, against a New Zealand Cricket XI, begins on Tuesday at Whangarei, followed by a three-day affair against New Zealand A.

Initially, Bairstow had been left out of the Test party after enduring a poor Ashes series with the bat. He has averaged just 20.25 in Tests in 2019, but was a key member of England’s World Cup-winning side.

National selector Ed Smith told him to target a return to the side as a specialist batsman, rather than looking to his position as a wicketkeeper.