England coach Brendon McCullum says there is "no doubt" that Jonny Bairstow will come straight back into the side once he returns to full fitness, despite the stunning form of his replacement Harry Brook.
Bairstow has been a key figure in England's remarkable turnaround in fortunes under McCullum and Ben Stokes, having smashed 589 runs from 578 balls in five innings against New Zealand and India in the summer.
However, he has been out of action since September after suffering a freak injury while playing golf, breaking his leg in three places and dislocating his ankle. Bairstow's injury gave Brook an opportunity to slot in at number five and he has made a dream start to his Test career.
In four games, Brook has scored 480 runs at an average of 80, including three consecutive centuries against Pakistan. After scoring his third hundred, Brook said he hoped his form had given the England management a "very big migraine " over selection when Bairstow returns.
And when asked how he plans to fit Bairstow back in the side, McCullum told BBC Test Match Special: "As soon as he's fit he's back in the side, no doubt. But let's work that out down the line.
"Don't try and crowbar anything and I think just let things unfold and when the time's right you make decisions you need to make. If they're tough conversations and tough decisions then so be it.
"But it's a much better place to be than scrambling around for blokes! All the guys who have been involved right throughout the summer and right throughout this series have bought into what we've been trying to achieve and I thank them for all of that.
"Maybe not all of them will be a part of it moving forward, but whatever happens we've created some memories which hopefully everyone that's been a part of it will be able to take with them."
England will be back in action in February, when they travel to New Zealand to play a two Test series. However, Bairstow is unlikely to be fit for that tour, meaning Brook will get another opportunity to press his case.
