Gerard Brophy has warned against the rising expectations surrounding Yorkshire team-mate Jonny Bairstow.
The 22-year-old batsman will get a chance to continue the stunning start to his England one-day international career next month after he was today named in the squad for the five matches in India alongside clubmate Tim Bresnan.
The national hype was deafening after a match-clinching 41 not out on debut against the Indians at Cardiff earlier this month.
But wicketkeeper Brophy, currently Bairstow’s understudy at Headingley, said: “I’d just say to people ‘don’t get too carried away’.
“There’s no doubt he’s an exceptional talent but Jonny’s still a young guy. He needs time to get settled at international level.”
Bairstow earned widespread acclaim for his Cardiff display, most notably from Alastair Cook and Andy Flower.
“No-one at Yorkshire is surprised by what he’s done because we’ve seen him do it on quite a few occasions,” said Brophy.
“He’s one of the best strikers of a ball on the county circuit. He’s got a fantastic future.
“When you get in any side, you’ve got to make it count and Jonny’s done that. When they get to India, because of what he did in the last one-day match, there’s no reason why they should leave him out.”
England squad: A Cook, J Bairstow, I Bell, R Bopara, S Borthwick, T Bresnan, J Dernbach, S Finn, C Kieswetter, S Meaker, S Patel, K Pietersen, G Swann, J Trott, C Woakes. J Buttler and A Hales added for T20 fixture.
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