ENG vs AUS: "If I Was Rubbish, I Wouldn't Have Played 94 Games" - Jonny Bairstow Reflects On Criticism Over His Batting Form
Published - 22 Jul 2023, 12:55 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:15 AM
England wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow opened up about the criticism over his batting performances in the ongoing Ashes series against Australia at home. Jonny Bairstow highlighted that he wouldn’t have played 94 matches in red-ball cricket if he was rubbish.
Jonny Bairstow scored an unbeaten 99 runs off 81 balls in England’s first innings on Day 3 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford on Friday, July 21. The right-handed batter hit 10 fours and four sixes in his knock. His knock was special, as he failed to score in the last two games.
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I’ve Played A Lot Of Cricket – Jonny Bairstow
Speaking to Sky Sports after the day’s play, Jonny Bairstow pointed out that he scored 78 runs in the first innings of the series opener in Edgbaston.
“Everyone thinks that I play better when people go at me, it gets a bit tiresome to be honest with you. I’ve played a lot of cricket now and to be keep being told that you’re rubbish,” Bairstow told Sky Sports.
“Well, if I was rubbish, I wouldn’t have played 94 games. I’ve been happy with my form. There’s been a couple of interesting dismissals during the series but it’s only a couple games ago that I got 70-odd, so it is what it is,” he added.
It Could Have Ended My Career – Jonny Bairstow
The Yorkshire cricketer admitted that the ankle injury, which he suffered last year, could have ended his career.
“You just don’t know how bad it’s going to be. It could have ended my career. I’ve got nine pins, and a wire that goes through my ankle, and I’ve had nine months out.
I’m still only 10 months post-operation right now. So when you speak to the surgeon and he says ‘I’m surprised you’re walking and running, never mind playing professional sport’, I’m delighted to be where I’m at,” he concluded.
The Ben Stokes-led team is in a comfortable position to level the Test series at 2-2. The home team took a lead of 275 runs in the first innings and picked up four wickets of the opposition for 113 before stumps on Day 3.
