Ashes 2023: "He's Got To Train Harder To Get More Confidence And Rhythm" - Kumar Sangakkara On Jonny Bairstow's Poor Wicketkeeping
Published - 07 Jul 2023, 01:57 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:15 AM
Former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara expressed criticism regarding Jonny Bairstow‘s wicketkeeping skills in the ongoing Ashes series against Australia. Sangakkara emphasized the need for Bairstow to work hard and regain his confidence in his glove work through training.
Jonny Bairstow has struggled with his wicketkeeping in the Ashes series. The 32-year-old missed stumpings and dropped catches in the first two Tests, which had significant impacts on the outcome of the matches. The Englishman made his return after recovering from an injury.
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The Conditions Are Not As Easy – Kumar Sangakkara
During an interview with Sky Sports, Kumar Sangakkara admitted that the ball tends to move even after passing the stumps, making it a difficult task for the wicketkeeper in English conditions.
“I understand in England the conditions are not as easy when keeping to fast bowling with the wobble,” Sangakkara explained.
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“Having said that, Jonny Bairstow is a good ‘keeper and we’ve been analysing his technique seven ways from Sunday in terms of the games he’s played.
“But it’s fair criticism in the way he’s kept, he’s got to train harder to get more confidence and rhythm into his keeping because his job is very, very crucial,” he added.
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Bairstow dropped catches of Steve Smith and Travis Head on Day 1 at Headingley on Thursday, July 6. However, they didn’t prove costly for England, as they were dismissed for low scores. Joe Root missed the opportunity to dismiss Mitchell Marsh, and it ended up costing them over 100 runs.
England dismissed Australia’s top four batsmen cheaply, restricting them to 85-4. Mitchell Marsh helped the team recover from a challenging position and added a 155-run partnership with Travis Head. Marsh played a crucial innings, scoring 118 runs, including 17 fours and four sixes.
Mark Wood picked up a five-wicket haul to bowl out Australia for 263 runs. England ended the day with a score of 68/3. Australia skipper Pat Cummins took the two wickets, and Mitchell Marsh grabbed one. Joe Root (19) and Jonny Bairstow (1) survived before the stumps on opening day.
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