BATTLER JONNY’S SET TO FILL GAP LEFT BY STOKES

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which might just be the sports book of the year, is also a fitting tribute to just how mature, level-headed and genuine the person who has found the strength to tell such a difficult and painful tale has grown up to become.

When Bairstow scored his first Test century for England, against South Africa in 2016, it came just two days before the 18th anniversary of his dad’s passing.

Most people wouldn’t have realised this. How could they have been expected to?

Famous sportsmen and women in England tend to keep their private emotions just that – private.

Plenty will have a poignant story to tell but choose not to and that is their prerogative. We should respect that.

Yet Bairstow has offered a fascinating insight into the sort of character he is – the kind we will need if the Ashes are to be retained Down Under in the coming months.

He said: “We are very fortunate to do what we do for many different reasons and if I can help a kid growing up, in whatever passion they’ve got, like I was inspired as a young boy, then hopefully it (the book) can have a positive impact.

Forced

“It’s not just about cricket or sport. There are many more things that can come into it.”

Bairstow, through the cruellest of circumstances, was forced to grow up fast.

It now seems ironic that when Bairstow plundered his maiden hundred in Cape Town last year, Stokes was batting at the opposite end as the duo put on a stunning 399-run stand for the sixth wicket. Unless Stokes is rapidly cleared of any wrongdoing, Bairstow won’t be seeing his face staring back at him at the crease this winter – but this doesn’t have to be a bad thing.

The time has come for Bairstow, 28, to seize his moment to emerge from the shadow of his troubled team-mate and prove we can succeed without Stokes.

It will be a huge task because – with the exception of Bairstow and Joe Root – England’s batting line-up looked makeweight this summer, despite beating South Africa and West Indies.

But Bairstow will be up to the task and the Aussies would be foolish to underestimate someone who has grown as both a person and sportsman.

Considering the challenges he’s overcome in the past, taking on Steve Smith’s side in their own backyard will seem like a doddle to Bairstow.