Jonny Bairstow denies dedicating his 100th Test Cap to any of his teammates or coaches

It’s not just Ravichandran Ashwin who will be earning his 100th Test cap in the 5th Test, his England counterpart Jonny Bairstow is also on course for the same. The right-hand batter who has had a quiet tour of India so far, will be dedicating his 100th Test cap to his mother Janet who has survived Breast Cancer twice. She also raised Jonny and his elder brother Andrew all alone after their father David Bairstow committed suicide.

Jonny Bairstow’s father was also a former England wicket-keeper batsman who took his own life for some reason when the batter was below 11 years of age. Bairstow, in the pre-match press conference at Dharamshala, described the role of his mother in fulfilling his dream to represent the England national team after his father left.

Bairstow says his Mother is an embodiment of strength

The 34-year-old was seemingly emotional during the press conference while talking about his come-up. He thanked his mother for always supporting him and claimed that she was the one who kept the family together after his father’s passing.

Bairstow called his mother an embodiment of strength as she defeated Breast Cancer twice, worked 3 jobs in a day, and also took him to Leeds United football academy for his sporting dreams.

And now that Jonny Bairstow has become a national team player, the aggressive batter feels that life has come full circle for him.

“When I play, there are times I think about Dad. But I think more about how hard Mum worked to make sure we were OK after everything that happened. To keep us together as a family. That has been my driving force. My mum is the embodiment of strength.” – Bairstow said in the pre-match conference at HPCA stadium.

“There was a determination there. She worked three jobs and had two kids that were under 10 at a difficult time. She was taking me to Leeds United, to Headingley, all sorts of other places. It’s paying all that back, making sure they are OK, and creating a life for my own family as well.”

“She had cancer twice. She’s a bloody strong woman, to get through that twice before you even consider anything else she’s been through, and it shows the strength and determination of the woman.” – Bairstow added.

Jonny Bairstow aiming to put on a show in the 5th Test at Dharamshala

Performance-wise, Jonny Bairstow has had a very disappointing 5-match Test series in India. He hasn’t been able to fire from the number 5 spot, which is a key position in the middle-order. He has scores of 37, 10, 25, 26, 0, 4, 38, and 30 from the 4 Test matches in Hyderabad, Vizag, Ranchi and Rajkot.

However, in his 100th Test at Dharamshala, Bairstow is aiming to come out of his lean patch as he hopes to put on a show with his England mates from March 7 onwards.

“It’s going to be an emotional week. I want to enjoy the occasion, and try to put on a show with the lads for the amazing fans that follow us around the world.” – Bairstow concluded.