Bangladesh v England Second Test, starts today, Dhaka, 05:00
IT’S not long since people were questioning Jonny Bairstow’s place in the England team. But after a Test in which he produced arguably his finest performance behind the stumps and broke a significant record, he is full of optimism.
Whatever you think of Bairstow the wicketkeeper, there’s no arguing he had an excellent match in Chittagong, where he kept immaculately in brutal, unforgiving conditions bar one leg-side drop.
He also delivered with the bat, as he seems to have done ever since his maiden Test hundred at Cape Town in January. In fact, Bairstow’s 99 runs against Bangladesh in Chittagong took his tally for 2016 to 1,091 in Tests, seeing him overtake former England coach Andy Flower to claim the record for most runs in a calendar year by a wicket- keeper.
Flower, who set the mark of 1,045 in 2000, had headed a list that includes AB de Villiers, Kumar Sangakkara, Adam Gilchrist, MS Dhoni and Matt Prior.
Bairstow then is in good company and, after a period where his keeping came under the microscope, he has managed to improve his glovework without affecting his batting.
That’s a balancing act Jos Buttler found too difficult to deal with, hence why Bairstow took the gloves from him for the final Test against Pakistan in Sharjah last winter.
The Yorkshireman’s numerous drops during the subsequent tour of South Africa led to a clamour for him to lose the gloves and be retained as a specialist batsman. Buttler’s outrageous limited-overs form added fuel to that particular fire.
However, now 27, Bairstow is more mature and driven by the hurt he felt when he was dropped by England at the end of the 2013-14 Ashes tour, when he had been parachuted in as keeper for the final two Tests in place of Matt Prior.
Denne historien er fra October 28,2016-utgaven av The Cricket Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra October 28,2016-utgaven av The Cricket Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Kohli leads RCB to much-needed win
VIRAT KOHLI returned to top form with 72 not out to lead RCB to an eight-wicket victory over the Royals in Abu Dhabi.
TEWATIA HAS SPARKED MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE IPL
James Wallace admits he has been surprisingly taken in by the IPL so far – and, in particular, the performance of a new Royal renegade
Whitewash victory is just the T20 tonic for Keightley
A SERIES that few thought would come to fruition ended in triumph for England who completed a 5-0 whitewash of the West Indies in Derby.
TEN OUT OF TEN! RYAN IS BASKING IN MORE GLORY
Chris Stocks catches up with Ryan ten Doeschate, who has plotted Essex’s recent county domination every step of the way
Surrey have the Will to end hoodoo
WILL Jacks may be a hot batting prospect but he’s relished the added responsibility with the ball in Surrey’s charge to T20 Finals Day.
NOW IT'S OUR TIME TO HELP OTHERS
Chris Stocks catches up with England’s director of cricket and discusses the need for the ECB to help boards around the world
IT'S OFTEN DOWN TO A THROW OF THE DICE
Garfield Robinson explains just how big a part luck plays in determining success or failure in sport
FINDING TALENTS LIKE TOM IS A GAIN IN ITSELF
One of the unexpected highlights to emerge from English cricket’s Covid-attenuated season was the chance given to young players to strut their stuff. With many overseas players and Kolpaks affected by travel restrictions many counties looked instead to the young talent on their staffs with gratifying results.
Future looks bright for the Ohio Slinger
ALI Khan is earning his stars and stripes in the Indian Premier League, with the first American to play in the tournament breaking down barriers in every sense.
Spin trio put squeeze on after Glenn shows off skill with the bat
SARAH GLENN helped England spin it to win it after proving she can make an all-round contribution.