Adam Lyth shutting out criticism after retaining England place

England opener Adam Lyth insists he is shutting out the criticism after retaining his place in the side for the third Investec Ashes Test.

The Yorkshireman has suffered a tough start to the series and was one of the three players whose place was up for debate following the 405-run defeat to Australia at Lord's last week. 

Seven of Lyth's eight England innings have ended in catches behind the stumps – the other dismissal was a run-out – with some criticising the way he does not leave balls that are not threatening his stumps.

But he survived the selectors' meeting on Tuesday, with Gary Ballance the man to make way for Jonny Bairstow for next week's clash at Edgbaston, and the left-hander says he will continue to work hard on his game and not worry about what critics are saying.

I keep my head down and keep believing in how good I am and where my game is at the minute so I don't really listen to the media if I'm honest

Writing on his official Facebook page, he said: "I have received a few good balls but I played a bad shot in the first innings at Lord's Cricket Ground.

"All I can do is keep working hard and hopefully there is a big score around the corner. I feel in good nick so I'm not too worried, I'm sure I will get past the new ball and cash in.

"I have a few batting sessions this week but it's also important to get away from cricket for a while and spend some time with the family but Thursday and Friday I will start to up a gear in my preparations for the third Test.

"I'm sure there have been plenty of discussions by all of the pundits after Lord's but I don't really read or listen to any of the media.

"I keep my head down and keep believing in how good I am and where my game is at the minute so I don't really listen to the media if I'm honest, I find that works for me."

Lyth expects Bairstow to transfer his stunning domestic form to the international stage.

"I'm sure you will have seen the squad announcement and I am absolutely gutted for Gary Ballance, he is one of my good mates in the England and Yorkshire dressing room," he added.

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"He is a fantastic player and I am sure he will be back in the England shirt before long. He is a quality player so now he will go back to Yorkshire and I'm sure he will score lots of runs for them and he will be back soon.

"However, Jonny Bairstow has obviously been in a rich vein of form, playing well for Yorkshire and he already has five hundreds in the (County) Championship. He has been knocking the door down and now he has his chance at Edgbaston against the Aussies so I am really happy for him and I'm sure he will continue his form in the international arena.

"This shows nobody is safe in the team, Gary is averaging almost 50 and he now finds himself out of the side so if you aren't scoring runs you aren't in the side but that is a healthy situation to be in as a squad."

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