England drop Gary Ballance for Jonny Bairstow, Ian Bell promoted to No 3

Ian Bell and Joe Root will be promoted to No 3 and No 4 respectively with Bairstow coming in after them at the Edgbaston Test which starts on Wednesday 29.

The 25-year-old has been in fine form for Yorkshire this year, with five centuries in the County Championship and an average of just over 100. The rest of the squad remains the same, with Steven Finn still the back-up fast bowler.

England have struggled with the top order in recent matches with the team losing three wickets for 52 runs or fewer in seven of the last eight games. Bairstow, who scored 83 not out to win the final one-day match against New Zealand this summer, is a wicketkeeper but will play as a specialist batsman after coach Trevor Bayliss and the selectors try other options after the team was bowled out for 103 in the final innings at Lord’s.

“For the third Test Ian Bell will move up the order to bat at three followed by Joe Root with Jonny Bairstow coming in at five,” said national selector, James Whitaker. “Jonny has worked extremely hard at his game and his record for Yorkshire speaks for itself. He fully deserves this opportunity.

“Gary was naturally disappointed to miss out on this occasion however we feel that he will benefit from some time in county cricket to rediscover his form. He has already had plenty of success at international level and as selectors we are confident Gary will play a significant role for England in the future.

“On behalf of the selectors I’d like to wish Alastair, Trevor and the squad all the very best for what will I’m sure be an entertaining and competitive Test next week.”

England squad: Cook, Anderson, Bairstow, Bell, Broad, Buttler, Finn, Lyth, Moeen, Rashid, Root, Stokes, Wood