Jonny Bairstow said that he had been the target of criticism that was “out of order” after a blazing innings that helped England solidify their grasp on the fourth Test against Australia at Old Trafford on Friday.
Bairstow’s unbeaten 99 runs off only 81 balls contributed to England’s massive 592 runs scored before they were all out in their first innings.
The wicketkeeper then took two catches off of fast bowler Mark Wood as Australia reached 113-4 in their second innings at stumps on the third day. Despite this, Australia is still 162 runs behind in a match that England must win in order to retake the Ashes, as England is now behind 2-1 with two matches remaining.
In August of the previous year, Bairstow was playing golf when he was involved in a bizarre accident that caused him to dislocate his ankle and break his left leg in three different places.
Although his great run with the bat at the beginning of England’s ‘Bazball’ era meant that a Test comeback was all but certain when he recovered fitness, many analysts questioned whether or not Bairstow was being expected to do too much in keeping wicket in addition to his batting duties.
Concerns about Bairstow’s fielding became more apparent when he lost eight catches and failed to stump an opponent in the first three Ashes tests.
However, England has rejected suggestions that they should bring back Ben Foakes as their wicketkeeper, and Jonny Bairstow has said that a lot of the discussion criticizing his glovework has been exaggerated.
“You’ve got to have a bit of perspective on it,” Bairstow said in an interview with the BBC. “I haven’t kept up with my workout routine in over three years, and I haven’t played in months.
“There has obviously been a lot of talk and other things like that, some of which I think has been a bit out of order to be honest, but that’s part and parcel of people having an opinion,” the speaker said. “It’s important to remember that people are entitled to their opinions.”
‘Tiresome’
The Yorkshireman, who is 33 years old and hails from Yorkshire, was similarly dismissive of ideas that he is at his best when he has a point to make. On Friday, the Yorkshireman smacked the bowlers from Australia for 10 fours and four sixes.
“Everyone thinks I play better when people have a go at me,” said Bairstow, who became the seventh batsman in the history of Test cricket to be stranded on 99 not out after the last man James Anderson was lbw to Cameron Green. Bairstow got stranded on 99 not out when Anderson became the last man to be bowled by Cameron Green.
“To tell you the truth, it gets a little bit old. I’ve had a lot of experience with cricket at this point. To hear again and over again that you are worthless is demoralizing; if I were worthless, I wouldn’t have played in 94 tests.
Bairstow was involved in the most contentious incident of this series after being run out by Alex Carey of Australia during the second test match at Lord’s. At the time of the run out, the England star was under the impression that the ball had been played dead.
“It wasn’t the way I wanted to be out down at Lord’s,” said Bairstow. “I was hoping for a better outcome.” David Bairstow’s son, Jonny, said, “You want to be playing the game and play it how I have always played it, you play it tough, you play it fair.” David Bairstow was a former wicketkeeper for England who passed away.
Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood, a fast bowler for Australia who took five wickets on Friday, said that he would not be upset if this match finished in a draw due to the rain that is expected to fall in Manchester over the course of the weekend.
Regardless of who wins the last match at The Oval the following week, Australia would be guaranteed to keep the ashes regardless of what happens there.
He remarked, “It would be great to lose a few overs here and there and make our job a bit easier hanging in there,” adding, “We’re well behind and it’s easy to see that.” “It would be great to lose a few overs here and there and make our job a bit easier hanging in there,” he said.
Friday was not a good day for Australia’s skipper Pat Cummins, who not only had his poorest bowling performance of his whole Test career (1-129) but also lost control of the field.
“It’s a good learning experience,” said Hazlewood, who went on to say of Cummins, another speedy player, “He’ll no doubt sit down with the coaches and go through a few things, but he’s a very quick learner.”