Chris Stocks speaks to Jonny Bairstow as the England keeper prepares for one of cricket’s most iconic days at Melbourne
For Jonny Bairstow, memories of his first Boxing Day Test at the MCG are special, even if, much like this tour, the results of that series in 2013-14 left a lot to be desired.
“Ninety-two thousand people on Boxing Day – that’s my first memory,” he says. “It was an amazing spectacle and something when you’re growing up you always hear about.
“It’s one of the iconic occasions in world cricket. I think to be fortunate enough to play in one was amazing, a fantastic experience, although the result wasn’t what we wanted.”
Like four years ago, Bairstow moved to Melbourne this week with England already 3-0 down in the series and with the Ashes gone. This time, though, the squad are a lot more united. Bairstow was thrown the gloves for the first time in a Test match after incumbent Matt Prior was dropped. Graeme Swann had also just retired and with the dressing room in open revolt, England’s tour was chaotic to say the least.
It was an experience that toughened the-then 24-year-old Bairstow up and is something he has used to help him make the wicketkeeping position his own since coming back into the team in place of Jos Buttler for the final Test against Pakistan at Sharjah in November 2015.
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