"You don't need to..." - Jonny Bairstow hits back at Rob Key after being dropped from Test team

England star Jonny Bairstow has finally broken his silence on being dropped from the Test team. The wicketkeeper-batsman failed to make the cut for the ongoing three-match Test series between England and West Indies.

The England selectors decided to try out young wicketkeeper Jamie Smith in the series and dropped not only Jonny Bairstow but Ben Foakes as well. Many believe that it is the end of road for Jonny Bairstow in the longest format of the game. The axing came after the right-handed batsman's consistent struggle to do well across formats.

Two seasons ago, he had become the poster boy of England's 'Bazball' revolution in 2022, hitting four centuries in five innings. However, things went downhill soon after he suffered a broken leg while playing golf. He recovered and reclaimed his place in the England team but has not really managed to hit the top form.

Earlier this year, he struggled for runs during the five-match Test series in India. He did get a number of starts but failed to capitalize on them. In the end, Jonny Bairstow finished the series with 238 runs from 10 innings without scoring a single fifty or century.

Speaking publicly for the first time since being dropped from the Test team, the veteran England star started by saying that he needed the break after a busy period that saw him play the Test series in India, the IPL, and the T20 World Cup.

"It was a much-needed break, to be honest with you," Jonny Bairstow told the BBC. "It was nice to spend a bit of time at home, get away from cricket, do normal things, catch up with the family - and not slip over."

"I had the best part of seven months away from home since January. I had five nights at home in my own bed until three weeks ago. That's the scheduling of the game. That's being lucky enough to be a part of all three formats and that's the thing you have to sacrifice, time at home.

"At the same time, when you are away for that period of time, it takes its toll… those are the sacrifices that you make, so to have a bit of home time and to have a special little period was pretty awesome," he added.

All I want to do is play for England: Jonny Bairstow

Speaking further, Jonny Bairstow responded to Rob Key's recent comments about him. After the squad was announced for the West Indies series. the England Men's managing director had said that Bairstow would have to regain the form that he was in a couple of years ago to earn a recall from the Test side.

"Jonny just needs to get back to what he was a couple of years ago. Generally, his form - in all formats - has just been going slightly in the wrong direction," Key had said.

Replying to the comments, Jonny Bairstow made it clear that he is determined to reclaim his place in the team.

"Well, you don't need to ask me that, do you? I think you know me well enough, and you've known me for long enough to know that all I want to do is play for England, and that's end of," said Bairstow when Michael Vaughan asked him if he wants to return to the Test team.