"Hope This Makes Him Hungry": ECB Director On Jonny Bairstow's Test Contract Snub

Jonny Bairstow does not have much to blame himself but England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) director Ashley Giles has hoped that the Test contract snub makes him hungrier for bigger role. Bairstow took a major hit as he has been axed from the Test contract for 2020-21 season announced by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Wednesday.

Bairstow received his central contract last year but since then has featured in only one match in the longest format of the game. Giles also mentioned that the players have done a lot in the Covid-19 situation this summer with effect to the lights on cricket but they are mature and realistic about what is going on.

“I hope this leaves him [Bairstow] still hungry to have a big role in Test cricket,” said Giles, as quoted by Guardian.

“Although the players have been in a bubble for the majority of the summer they are not blind to the reality of what is going on in the world. They understand they have a part to play in that,” he added.

“The players have done a huge amount this summer to, in effect, keep the lights on for cricket but they are mature and realistic about what is going on. The discussions have been really positive and I’m confident we are close now.”

Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope and Dom Sibley, at the back of their prolific run this summer, have all earned their maiden Test contract while Surrey all-rounder Tom Curran has progressed to a White Ball Central Contract, having been in possession of an Increment Contract for 2019/20, according to the official statement.