Jonny Bairstow Feels T20 Performance Can Influence Test Selection

Jonny Bairstow had a sensational run for England during the ICC World Cup 2019. Even ahead of the tournament, he set the stage of Indian Premier League on fire. However, everything wasn’t the same for him when he appeared for England in the Ashes Series 2019. Eventually, he lost his place in the side, as his weakness in red-ball cricket was exposed.

Since reverting to being Test wicketkeeper in February, Bairstow is averaging only 18 from seven Test matches. He averages only 24 since the start of the 2018 summer. In the same period, Buttler averages 36 in Test. All those stats made the team management to take a call on his presence in the team.

Meanwhile, the stylish batsman quoted that he would like to make a comeback with a fine show in the shorter format of the game. He believes that form can help him to make an influence regarding his selection in the Test format of the game. Bairstow wants to make full use of T20I series in New Zealand.

I just want to return to the side – Jonny Bairstow

Though it is surprising to see him relying on T20I format, he gave a couple of examples in the form of Jos Buttler and Jason Roy, who made it to the Test cricket after an impressive show in limited-overs. Roy received a call-up after world cup while Buttler made it into the side after his show in IPL.

“I don’t see why T20 performance cannot influence Test selection,” Bairstow said. “If you’re scoring runs – no matter the format – it definitely influences things. We saw Jason Roy picked for The Ashes off the back of ODIs and Jos Buttler came back into the Test team in 2018 after impressing in the IPL.

“I don’t mind if I keep. I just want to return to the squad to try and get back in the side. Wherever that maybe hopefully there’s an opportunity that arises and hopefully I’ll be able to take that when it does. The T20s will be great craic. New Zealand is an unbelievable place to tour and play cricket. There are some new guys in the squad and it will be good to get to know them.”