Not the first time I've been dropped, hopefully it'll be the last, says Jonny Bairstow
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Having lost the urn even after drawing the Ashes at home, England is taking their first overseas of the winter quite seriously and Bairstow is facing the repercussions of it. The wicket-keeper has been dropped from Tests after the worst run of his career, scoring at a submissive average of 20.25.
Jonny Bairstow, the spine of England’s limited-overs side, has hit a barren patch in his Test career. The attacking Yorkshire keeper-batsman has scored 4,020 runs in 69 Test matches at an impressive average of 35.26 but has only scored 727 runs in his last 31 innings, since 2018, at an average of 23.45, which led to his axing from the longest format.Â
When asked if this was the end of the road for him in Test cricket, the Yorkshireman seemed determinant to come back strong and earn back his place in the squad.Â
"I love my Test cricket. Naturally, it's disappointing. It's not the first time being dropped has happened. Hopefully it will be the last. We've been touring non-stop for five, six or seven years. This gives me the opportunity to go away, train hard and work on my game.", the 30-year-old keeper told BBC sport.Â
Of late, Bairstow has been England’s first-choice keeper in the game's longest format. He also seems to perform better when playing as a keeper batsman as compared to his performance as a specialist batman. It is quite evident, with him scoring 5 tons in Tests as wicketkeeper compared to only one playing as a specialist batsman.Â
But now with the presence of a tough competitor in Jos Buttler, who is scoring runs fluently and can keep wickets, Bairstow might face difficulties breaking into the squad again. But when quizzed about it, Bairstow revealed that he will be happy to play for England in whatever role he is allotted by the management.Â
"I just want to get back in the team, no matter how it is," he said. "Whatever spot becomes available, it won't be the first time if it is just as a batter.", the attacking English batsman added before signing off.Â
But despite being axed from the Test squad, Bairstow has kept his place in the limited over squad and is a part of England's T20 squad which will be touring New Zealand for a five-match series. Meanwhile, National selector Ed Smith also sounded hopeful about Bairstow returning as a better player after his axing from the Test squad.
