Bairstow Must Take Blame For This Act Of 'Stupidity'
One hesitates to be too critical of Jonny Bairstow for going out to face the last ten minutes or so of the first day of the final Ashes Test in Sydney.
But that doesn’t mean the England wicketkeeper-batsman should be allowed to get off Scott-free for his part in a decision that, had circumstances been as different as they dared to hope for at the start of the series, might have resulted in a more significant outcome.
When, with the shadows lengthening across the SCG at around 6.52pm local time, Bairstow walked past the outgoing Joe Root to join Dawid Malan at the crease with his side on 228-4, the look on the faces of the Australian fielders showed what they thought of England’s call not to send in a nightwatchman.
Their best batsman had just gifted his prized wicket to Mitchell Starc with a fuzzy leg-side flick, brilliantly held by Mitchell Marsh at square leg, thus loosening the grip on the game he and the increasingly impressive Malan were starting to exert as their excellent 133-run partnership developed.
With a maximum 15 deliveries still to be bowled in tricky twilight and the new ball in the hands of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, former England skipper Michael Vaughan, commentating for BT Sport, was so taken aback when Bairstow appeared that he actually had to correct his announcement that a nightwatchman was on his way out there.
Quite what England or Bairstow thought they had to gain by him taking the gamble is unclear.
Bu hikaye The Cricket Paper dergisinin January 05,2018 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Cricket Paper dergisinin January 05,2018 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
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.