Yorkshire CCC’s Jonny Bairstow believes he has ‘ideal’ game for new England ODI era

JONNY BAIRSTOW believes he is a perfect fit for England’s explosive new style of cricket.
Jonny BairstowJonny Bairstow
Jonny Bairstow

The Yorkshire wicketkeeper-batsman was left out of the ongoing Royal London One-day series against New Zealand, during which England have showcased a dynamic approach that has been missing from their game for too long.

Although the hosts head into Wednesday’s fourth ODI 2-1 behind, they have won plenty of admirers matching the Black Caps’ commitment to attacking cricket.

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Bairstow has been in thrilling form himself, averaging 80.40 and striking two centuries in six LV= County Championship innings, and he is eager to take that form back on to the international stage.

“I think the way England are playing their cricket now suits my game,” said Bairstow, who was coaching Whixley Cricket Club’s Under-13s in association with Waitrose.

“It’s fantastic to see the scores that have been posted in this series and the way people have gone out and played is a massive positive for us as a country.

“It’s great to see and long may it continue. In the future I believe I definitely have a role to play, whether it be next week, next month or whenever and that’s an exciting position to be in.

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“There’s been a shift in one-day cricket as a whole...250 doesn’t win games of cricket anymore, it’s 350, 400.

“For England to go out and post 400-plus in the first ODI was very pleasing.”

Bairstow was an unused squad member on the recent Test tour of the West Indies and last wore the Three Lions in the washed out one-dayer against Ireland.

But he has since fallen behind Sam Billings in the pecking order, with the Kent gloveman operating as a specialist batsman against New Zealand while Jos Buttler keeps wicket.

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He has certainly made the most of his opportunity to make his mark for Yorkshire, striking 402 runs in just three championship matches.

“There are pros and cons to being in the squad (but not playing),” he noted.

“You can look at it that if you’re in there you’re the next man in, which is good, but if you’re not in then you’re out scoring runs for Yorkshire.

“I’m playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world and the stature and pressure that comes with playing for Yorkshire can only stand you in good stead when you pull an England jersey on.

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“The selection decision has been made and that’s the route they’ve gone down for now but the form I’ve been in this year is very positive and that will do my claims no harm.

“If I keep doing what I’m doing I know that come the end of the season I won’t be too far away.”

In the short term, Bairstow would still love to feature in this summer’s Ashes series.

Six of his 14 Tests have come against Australia - including two in the 2013/14 whitewash.

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That thrashing may have stung at the time but the 25-year-old feels stronger for the experience.

“It was a fantastic learning experience, to walk out in front of 90,000 people in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG,” he said.

“If I was to go out next time I’ve been through that, I’ve got experience of cricket at its toughest and you can’t look at that as a negative.”