Jonny Bairstow, born on 26 September 1989, is an English cricketer renowned for his versatility across all formats of the game. He prominently represents Yorkshire in domestic cricket and has showcased his skills in various Twenty20 leagues worldwide, including stints with Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings in the prestigious Indian Premier League. Bairstow’s dynamic presence and adaptability make him a valuable asset to both his domestic and international teams, contributing significantly with his batting prowess and wicketkeeping skills.
Jonny Bairstow could not deliver with the bat in the first Test match of the ongoing Test Series against India. He will look to make an impact in the second Test at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam from 2 February 2024.
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Jonny Bairstow Test Records & Stats
In Test cricket, Jonny Bairstow has played 96 matches, amassing a total of 5,851 runs at an impressive average of 37.03. His remarkable consistency is evident with 12 centuries and 26 half-centuries to his name. Bairstow’s highest score of 167* underscores his ability to anchor innings effectively. Additionally, his skills behind the stumps are noteworthy, with 239 catches and 14 stumpings highlighting his prowess as a wicketkeeper. Bairstow’s contributions with both bat and gloves make him a formidable presence in the Test arena.
| Competition | Test |
|---|---|
| Matches | 96 |
| Runs scored | 5,851 |
| Batting average | 37.03 |
| 100s/50s | 12/26 |
| Top score | 167* |
| Catches/stumpings | 239/14 |
Jonny Bairstow Test Career
During the 2013 tour to New Zealand, Jonny Bairstow stepped up in the absence of Kevin Pietersen, showcasing his batting prowess in the first Test by top-scoring for England with 41 runs. His notable performance continued in the second Test, where he crafted a resilient 64 runs and forged a crucial partnership with Joe Root. Bairstow’s total of 136 runs in the series, making him England’s fourth-highest scorer, contributed to England’s series victory of 2-0.
In the 2013 Ashes series, Bairstow assumed the number six position, delivering vital contributions with scores of 37, 15, 67, and 20 in the first two Tests, aiding England in securing a 2-0 series lead.
During the 2013-14 Ashes series, Bairstow’s inclusion came in the fourth Test when he replaced the struggling wicket-keeper Matt Prior. In a challenging scenario with England trailing 3-0, Bairstow showcased his wicketkeeping skills alongside his father, marking a unique father-son combination for England. Although his batting contributions were modest, he impressed behind the stumps, snaring six catches.
In 2015, Bairstow’s resurgence saw him excel as a wicketkeeper-batsman. His memorable performance in the fifth ODI against New Zealand, where he scored an unbeaten 83 and displayed agile glovework, marked his return to the England setup after an 18-month absence.
During the 2015 Ashes series, Bairstow’s inclusion in the latter part of the series proved significant, with notable innings including a crucial 74 in the fourth Test, contributing to England’s commanding victory.
His elevation as England’s primary wicketkeeper for Test cricket came after consistent displays, notably against Pakistan in the UAE in 2015. Bairstow’s steady performances with the bat, including a maiden Test century against South Africa, established him as a key figure in the team’s middle order.
Bairstow’s excellence continued in subsequent series, including standout performances against Sri Lanka in 2016 and Pakistan at Lord’s, where his contributions with both bat and gloves played pivotal roles in England’s victories.
In the following years, Bairstow’s performances against India showcased his resilience, despite England facing challenges in the series. His ability to adapt and contribute under pressure underscored his importance to the team.
Bairstow was part of England’s squad for the 2019 Ashes series, where he averaged 23.77 with the bat, managing one half-century. However, he faced a setback when dropped from England’s test squad for the New Zealand tour. England selector Ed Smith expressed confidence in Bairstow’s ability to return stronger after some time away from the test setup, emphasizing the need for him to refine his technique in red-ball cricket.
Despite being initially dropped, Bairstow returned to the team as cover for the unwell Ollie Pope, making contributions with the bat before being dropped again upon Pope’s return. During this period, Bairstow was actively engaged in a training camp in South Africa, focusing on enhancing his red-ball skills.
His remarkable comeback came during the second Test of the England vs. New Zealand series in June 2022 at Trent Bridge, where he played a match-winning innings of 136 runs off just 92 balls on the final day, earning him the Man of the Match award. Bairstow’s century off 77 balls marked the second-fastest test century by an English batsman. In the subsequent tests, he continued his stellar form, notably scoring a brilliant 162 runs to lead England to victory from a precarious position of 55-6.
Further showcasing his prowess, Bairstow registered his third and fourth centuries of the summer in the rescheduled fifth test against India, including an unbeaten 114 in the fourth innings, contributing to England’s record test match chase. Unfortunately, his participation in the 2022 T20 World Cup was cut short due to a leg injury sustained in a golf accident.
Bairstow’s exceptional performances throughout the 2022 English summer earned him accolades, including the Professional Cricketers’ Association Men’s Cricketer of the Year award and the Cricket Writers’ Club Bob Willis Trophy. Additionally, he received nominations for the 2022 Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year title and was honored with inclusion in the ICC Men’s Test Team of the Year.
Also read: Joe Root Test Records & Stats- IND vs ENG 2nd Test Today Match 2024
Jonny Bairstow Early Life
Bairstow, born on 26 September 1989 in Bradford, West Yorkshire, hails from a cricketing family. His father, David Bairstow, was a former Yorkshire and England wicket-keeper, while his younger half-brother, Andrew Bairstow, played for Derbyshire. Demonstrating his cricketing prowess from an early age, Bairstow was honored as the inaugural recipient of the Young Wisden Schools Cricketer of the Year award. This recognition came after his impressive performance in 2007, where he scored 654 runs for St Peter’s School. Additionally, Bairstow showcased his sporting versatility by representing the Leeds United youth football team.
Jonny Bairstow Domestic Career
During the 2008 season, Bairstow played second-XI cricket for Yorkshire. In six championship matches, he scored 308 runs at an average of 61.60. He was called up to the first-team squad for the final County Championship match of the season against Sussex but failed to make the starting eleven. He nevertheless signed a two-year contract with Yorkshire.
Bairstow began the 2009 season playing second XI cricket but after scoring 202 not out against Leicestershire seconds, he was called up into the first-team match with Somerset when Michael Vaughan was ruled out through injury. On his first-class debut he top scored in the second innings with an unbeaten 82. In Somerset’s second innings, he took over the gloves from an injured Gerard Brophy and took four catches.
Bairstow was a regular in the Yorkshire team in 2010, playing 16 first-class matches and scoring 918 runs. He averaged more than 40 for a second successive season, but could not convert any of his eight fifties into a maiden century. His performances led to selection for the England Performance Programme squad to tour Australia in 2010/11.
He took the gloves for the 2011 season and started well with the bat by scoring his first century against Nottinghamshire in May, finishing on 205. He was the only Yorkshire batter to score over 1000 runs in the season and on the back of his strong performances was called up to the England one day squad.
Jonny Bairstow Test Stats FAQs
1- How many Test matches has Jonny Bairstow played?
Jonny Bairstow has played 96 Test matches.
2- How many runs has Jonny Bairstow scored in Test Cricket?
He has scored 5851 runs at an average of 37.03.
3- How many centuries has Jonny Bairstow scored in Test Cricket?
He has scored 12 centuries in Test Cricket.
