Bairstow brands ECB's George Hill England Lions omission 'absolute joke'

Bairstow's fury at Lions snub

Former England wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow has launched a scathing attack on the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) after Yorkshire all-rounder George Hill was omitted from the latest England Lions squads.

Bairstow, who played alongside Hill at Yorkshire and captained the county through the most recent County Championship season, took to Instagram Stories on Friday to voice his frustration at the selection call.

"What does [George Hill] have to do!!! Averages 18 with 48 wickets and 750 runs @ 34! England are hardly blessed with people that can swing the ball, bat well and be a jet in the field!" he wrote. "Absolute joke!"

The 25-year-old Hill was left out of both the T20 and 50-over England Lions squads set to face West Indies A in St Kitts and Nevis in November. He had previously earned a call-up to the England Lions squad in May 2025, but has not been included in either of the latest white-ball squads.

A case built on all-round value

Bairstow, who represented England between 2011 and 2024, highlighted Hill's ability to contribute in all three departments — taking wickets, scoring runs and excelling in the field. Hill made his first-class debut in 2020 and has since built a strong record in the longer format, maintaining a batting average of 31 and taking 178 wickets at an average of 21. His numbers in one-day and T20 cricket, however, have been less impressive.

Hill's omission comes on the back of a strong domestic campaign. As reported on 26 September 2026, the 25-year-old finished the County Championship season as Yorkshire's leading wicket-taker and run-scorer, his defiance with the bat limiting the damage in Yorkshire's final-round defeat at Nottinghamshire.

Lions prepare for West Indies A

The England Lions are scheduled to play three T20 matches and five 50-over games against West Indies A in November. The squads instead feature several other young players, including Rehan Ahmed, Ben McKinney, Thomas Rew and James Rew. Hill's exclusion has drawn scrutiny to the selectors' thinking, with Bairstow making clear he believes the all-rounder's performances should have earned him a place.