Jonny Bairstow looks set to be recalled to England’s Test set-up for the upcoming series against India, his Welsh Fire head coach Gary Kirsten has revealed.

Bairstow, who has played 74 Tests for England, featured in the 3-1 series defeat to India earlier this year but has struggled for a regular run in the red-ball XI since losing his wicketkeeping spot after the 2019 Ashes.

The 31-year-old looks set to be part of England’s plans for the upcoming five-match Test series with India, however, after Kirsten revealed that he could be without Bairstow for a large chunk of The Hundred.

“We’re hearing that Jonny Bairstow, who we’ve kind of designated as our captain, is now suddenly becoming a Test cricketer again,” Kirsten told Talk Sport. “We could have him for maybe one or two games.”

“I was keen for him to captain the side and he was keen as well. He wants to broaden his game a little bit. He’s a great player, he’s very competitive and he’s got a way of playing that’s very endearing for short-format cricket, so I’m looking forward to working with him. We’ve had a fair amount of conversations already.

“It is what it is. If he’s getting a chance to play Test cricket for England and we’re not going to have him, that’s the priority, it’s as simple as that. We need to accept and move with the times.”

The ECB announced on Tuesday that players selected for the first two Tests against India will be available to play in The Hundred for each side’s first two matches before joining up with the red-ball set-up.