England captain Alastair Cook has confirmed that Jonny Bairstow will replace the injured Kevin Pietersen for his side's final Test match against New Zealand.
Having featured in the opening two Tests against the Kiwis, Pietersen is due to miss eight weeks of action with a knee problem and has returned home for tests on the issue.
Despite being sad to lose the Pietersen from the tour, Cook has no doubts that Bairstow can rise to the occasion.
"Obviously, it's a blow when you lose one of your senior batters and a guy who's performed consistently well for us over a number of years," Cook told Sky Sports News.
"He's a great player, and will be missed but it gives an opportunity to Jonny Bairstow coming in.
"He's probably been a little unlucky not to be selected earlier, through circumstance this winter, so he has a great opportunity to try to end this winter well."
The series between New Zealand and England is currently tied at 0-0 heading into the third and final Test in Auckland on Friday.
Matt Cotton
