NICK HOWSON AT OLD TRAFFORD: With an embarrassment of riches in the wicket-keeping department the Yorkshireman is creeping towards extraneousness
"I can't look into the future."
Spend enough time interviewing sportspeople and eventually you get used to paint-by-numbers, painfully obvious responses to questions. However, where possible, it is important to consider the subtext, the body language and the reason behind such a monosyllabic reply.
This particular quote came at the end of a rather frosty exchange between the media and England's Jonny Bairstow at the end of day two of the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford. A perfectly legitimate question regarding the deterioration of the surface did not deserve such a facetious response. But just six words at the end of a session lasting a fleeting six minutes and 37 seconds acted as an insight into the state of mind of an athlete under intense pressure.
There is a distinct irony to Bairstow dismissing his own abilities as a cricketing clairvoyant. Currently, the future is not something he will want to think about. Because of what it might bring. Because of what it might mean.
We are potentially entering the final throws of Bairstow's Test career. If England do indeed allow Australia to retain the Ashes either in Manchester or at The Oval, the inquest into the hosts' display is likely to be brutal and thorough. And it is impossible to ignore that Bairstow's head is among those on the block.
Day four of the fourth Test was the perfect opportunity to offer a reminder as to his value to the England team. It was a passage of play where determination and resilience was required. Many of his teammates have displayed such traits this summer, but Bairstow was unable to draw on them.
Jonny Bairstow's series went from bad to worse thanks to Mitchell Starc
Less than 50 minutes into what should have been a titanic rearguard, Bairstow was undone in a typically naive fashion. Mitchell Starc had got the new ball to swing but the shot which welcomed his latest effort was pathetic; an expansive drive which missed by a seismic margin.
The familiarity of Bairstow's demise is alarming. It was the 15th time in the last 37 innings that the 29-year-old has lost his poles, the 32nd of his 111 dismissals. Indeed, he is now among the top five bowled players (who have been out 100 times or more) in Test history. And of them, only Wally Hammond can boast to be as competent a batsman.
Failing to learn from such obvious flaws supplements a concerning run of form which is equally as worrying. Bairstow averages less than 20 this summer and just 25.64 since the start of 2018. Seven of his 10 career ducks have come in the last 20 months. It is an undeniable charge sheet which requires severe assessment.
Bairstow is a proud wicket-keeper. Indeed, he works on that aspect on his game ferociously hard. But it is widely acknowledged that he is far from the best gloveman in the current team, let alone available to England. Indeed, he might not even be in the top four. An error-stern display on home turf at Headingley highlighted that though Bairstow has made major improvements, others are more suitable for the job.
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His ability with the bat has always seen Bairstow indulged with the gloves. But if that aspect of his game is not functioning and his work behind the stumps is also poor, then surely this particular experiment needs to be reviewed. Having refrained from withdrawing him midway through the series, this winter must surely be the watershed moment.
And it isn't like England haven't got options. Jos Buttler is a World Cup winner and has kept wicket in 16 Tests. Sam Billings has all the tools and can be handy with the bat. Ollie Robinson has the most dismissals in Division One of the County Championship in 2019.
And then there is Ben Foakes, regarded by regular watchers of the Championship as the best keeper in the country. And with a Test century and an average of over 40 it is baffling he has had a watching brief - bar outings against Ireland and Pakistan in May - since his last outing in the West Indies.
So when Bairstow insists he is unwilling to look into his crystal ball, who would blame him? Due to turn 30 before the end of the month, the future looks bleak. Sunnier climes of New Zealand and South Africa are to come this winter but at this stage, they represent glorified holiday destinations.
Posted by Lawrence Brampton on 13/09/2019 at 17:18
Fuller agree with your comments about Bairstow. They drop Roy for lack of runs but Bairstow keeps his place plus his w/keeping leaves a lot to be desired. His constant whinging after his injury about getting the gloves back were embarrassing to say the least. Ben Foakes is by far the best glove man in the country if not the world. Root needs to think about the team not his mates. Tactically also not the greatest captain
Posted by Danny Deegan on 12/09/2019 at 15:11
I think people are missing the bigger point of this article. Bairstow averages 55 as a specialist batsman. His average drops to 30 if he has the gloves. We are desperately in need of world class batsmen and if he can't do both I know which i would rather he did. Alec Stewart finished with a very average test record for someone of his ability and bairstow is in danger of doing the same.
Posted by David on 09/09/2019 at 21:17
If you ask stupid questions, why would you expect anything other than a facetious response.
Posted by Steven Lund on 09/09/2019 at 18:50
Seems harsh to use Bairstow as a scapegoat for the demise of the England cricket team. Off hand I could not tell you the averages for the rest of the England team for this series but the only batsman who has produced has been Ben Stokes. The preparation for this series was poor due to the world cup. There is no substitute for batsmen to play four day cricket with a red ball that swings and seams. The central contracts restrict players from going out and playing for there county sides this is something that needs to be addressed. Players need to have confidence which can only be achieved by spending time in the middle racking up the runs in four day cricket. Bairstow is not the only England player lacking confidence Roy, Butler, Root to name a few.
Posted by John Allum on 09/09/2019 at 14:01
Nonsense article.....
Posted by James Fitzpatrick on 09/09/2019 at 13:51
Jonny Bairstow is actually in good company in the ' percentage of bowled dismissals ' but way behind the leader, a certain Aussie knight by the name of Bradman ! The Dons dismissals probably as a result of exhaustion not the lack of technique and frustration shown by many of our batters. Rule 1 don't miss the ball. Rule 2 don't hit it in the air. Rule 3 don't force the issue unless you really have to.
Posted by Paul Brooks on 09/09/2019 at 12:13
What a well constructed load of rubbish even if you replaced him as wicketkeeper he is still a outstanding fielder Australia had a great player in Smith put in performance when needed and a four man bowling attack which would test any player and team in the World I respect your opinion but do not agree with it 🏏🏏🏏
Posted by Stephen Bunce on 09/09/2019 at 09:31
& why does the man keep denying he is out when he should realise by now that we are no longer in the playground & that the cameras don't lie? Yesterday he alleged he hit the ball as he did in an earlier Test, as a result of which England lost their last review & Jason Roy had to go when he was probably not out.
Posted by Chrissy on 08/09/2019 at 21:46
Nick Howson why don’t you try and write an article on tiddlywinks some people might then take you seriously!
Posted by England Fan on 08/09/2019 at 17:53
Apologies I my response I mention Foakes averaging 13 when infant he averages 29 in the championship this season, though this does nothing to suggest he is worthy of a recall on current form.
Posted by England Fan on 08/09/2019 at 17:41
I am not sure what your issue is with Bairstow, but you seem, like others in the media to have a personal vendetta against him. You mention Buttler as a World Cup winner, seemingly forgetting the huge and arguably more important role that Bairstow played in the World Cup victory. On the issue of Bairstow's position in the test team he is averaging 25 this series, which obviously is not acceptable but is still 9 runs higher than Buttler's average. Buttler has also had ample opportunity as a test player and having played 33 tests with only one hundred to his name is far less deserving of his place in the side. You also mention Bairstow's glove work which whilst not elite is in no way inferior to that off Buttler's, with most accepting they are both inferior glovemen to Foakes. Foakes though is averaging 13 this season in the championship so despite his glovework and promising start to his test career is in no way deserving of a recall. Ollie Robinson is another player you have mentioned and whilst undoubtedly a promising player who has had a strong season, is far too green and no where near a test call up. Averaging 36 this season with two hundreds is a good start to a career, but he has only played 15 career games so needs at least another season to prove his consistency. To conclude I think England have far greater problems within their batting line up that Johnny Bairstow; Roy, Denly and even Burns so before you lambast and attempt to use Bairstow as a scape goat for Englands ashes woes maybe you should first do some fact checking, or dare I say formulate your own opinions rather than jumping on the 'vaughan bandwagon', sensationalising and over reacting to one players poor form when the players you offer as alternatives are in worse form than Bairstow.
Posted by Jeremy Montgomery on 08/09/2019 at 08:37
‘climes’!
Posted by Michael Martin on 08/09/2019 at 08:25
Bring on Foakes for the Oval. Won't happen tho
Posted by Gary Bright on 07/09/2019 at 17:04
Absolute tosh. Jonny is far better with the bat, and the gloves, than the over indulged, seemingly un-droppable Buttler !! Granted, Foakes is the best keeper, but to say Jonny is at risk any more so than any other of those out of form is laughable !!
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