Former Proteas batsman AB de Villiers is confident England batsman Jonny Bairstow will score the most runs during this year’s Ashes series.

Bairstow gathered a solid stretch of form during the recent World Cup, which England won, but averages under 38 runs in Test cricket – and collected two ducks in last week’s one-off fixture against Ireland at Lord’s.

‘The biggest run-scorer, I feel, is going to be Bairstow. He has been in incredible form and I feel he has taken his cricket to the next level,’ De Villiers, who is currently playing for Middlesex in the United Kingdom, told the BBC.

England will be captained by batsman Joe Root, while former Australian skipper Steven Smith has returned to the Test squad after completing a ban for last year’s involvement in the ball-tampering scandal that marred their tour of South Africa.

‘Both are very talented players, but I don’t feel it will come down to the two of them to decide who is going to win the Ashes series,’ added De Villiers.

‘But both have captaincy experience, are big leaders and are big characters in their respective teams. I feel both teams need the two of them to have a big series. Root, playing at home, will have the slight advantage.’

Opening batsman Cameron Bancroft and David Warner were also banned for ball-tampering. Their suspensions, too, are over. Smith, Bancroft and Warner will likely cop plenty of criticism from the Birmingham crowd later this week.

‘There is nothing better than having the crowd on your case. The only advice I can give to Smith and Warner is to go out there and enjoy it – and enjoy the challenge,’ concluded De Villiers.

The first Test will start at Edgbaston on Thursday. Lord’s, Headingley, Old Trafford and The Oval will host Tests two, three, four and five, respectively.

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