'Harry Brook said…': Jonny Bairstow declares war on Jos Buttler, Jamie Smith for England comeback
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English wicket-keeper batsman Jonny Bairstow has been one of the key players in the England setup, and he did wonders under Eoin Morgan. He has been a multi-format star for them, excelling in all formats.
Jonny Bairstow has been flexible enough to take up roles as an opener or even a middle-order batter, especially in the red-ball format. He, alongside Jos Buttler, formed one of the world's deadliest duos in the game of cricket.
However, after having made his 100th Test appearance in Dharamshala, the recipient has lacked opportunities to play for the national side. This was also marked as a result of the squad being revamped after a humiliating defeat against India.
However, ever since, the 35-year-old keeper-batter has been showing a promising performance in domestic leagues, as well as several franchises based in global leagues around the world. He has never left the field ever since his comeback from injury.
Jonny Bairstow ready for England comeback
Jonny Bairstow was last seen in English colours during the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, where he got out for a duck, and it marked the end of England's campaign in the semi-finals.
"I am still contracted. I haven't heard too much from them, if anything, to be honest with you, but that's the part and parcel of it."
"Brooky (Harry Brook) came out and said that he wanted certain type of players who can take down the best bowlers in the world, and I definitely fit that mould and have done for a long period of time," said Bairstow on Sky Sports.
"So, from a fitness point of view, I have not missed a game since coming back from my ankle injury, which could have been a lot more treacherous than it has been.......... From a robustness point of view, I am definitely knocking about. The other bits here, the leadership side of it, have thrown at different challenges," he concluded.
Baristow relished batting in the County Championship
Jonny Bairstow might be kept aside by the England management from the international team, but he has been actively playing in the domestic competitions. Though it cannot be ruled out that Jonny Bairstow is one of the ideal players who can switch gears, thus adapting well to the Bazball format.
Playing in the County Championship this season, he has put on a stunning performance as the seasoned English star amassed a total of 595 runs at an average of 49.58, playing for Yorkshire. He is currently playing the Vitality Blast 2025 and has also scored 177 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 165.42.
He is eyeing the upcoming edition of The Hundred to ensure his comeback into the English side before the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
England also had a shameful batting collapse at Lord's
Though we have been speaking mainly of England's T20 sides needing a player of Bairstow's calibre, even the English Test side has lacked consistency, especially from its batters.
So far in the home series against India, the likes of Duckett and Pope have been just a one-innings wonder, while even Harry Brook and Ben Stokes have not had the best impact with the bat. Though the current English wicket-keeper batsman Jamie Smith has emerged as a promising young talent, he is also England's leading run-getter in the series.
In the second innings of the Lord's Test, even England suffered a humiliating collapse as they were bowled out for just 192 runs, with both the top-order and lower-order failing. Hence, a player of Jonny Bairstow's calibre for future tours might be sought by England to strengthen their batting.
Tagged:
India vs England England National Cricket Team Jonny Bairstow Harry Brook Ben Stokes Brendon McCullum IND vs ENG Jos Buttler Jamie Smith
