JONNY FEARS FOR TEST FUTURE

T20 cash is pulling away the big stars

ENGLAND one-day star Jonny Bairstow admits he is worried about the future of Test cricket.

The Yorkshire batsman is building a career as a one-day opener but insists he will never turn his back on the game’s longest form.

Bairstow is playing in the oneday series against New Zealand alongside Yorkshire’s Adil Rashid and Nottinghamshire’s Alex Hales – who have just signed limitedovers-only county contracts to effectively end their Test careers.

That highlighted the threat to red-ball cricket, with low Test crowds and more players now focusing on the lucrative T20 format.

Bairstow said: “Test cricket is huge, but if we’re not careful then there are going to be more and more people that do it (give up redball cricket).

“You’ve got lucrative tournaments around the world where people now can earn a heck of a lot of money for five weeks’ work – when the strain and stress on the body is nothing compared to Test cricket.

Boost

“So, whatever way it is we can preserve Test cricket – and go forward with that – is really important.”

England’s leading bowler Jimmy Anderson has also spoken recently of his fears for Tests.

But Bairstow does believe daynight Tests can boost the game’s profile. England will play their third in the space of a year when they face New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland this month.

“Obviously the first step is daynight Tests and seeing how that goes with the pink ball,” Bairstow added.

“Everyone loves playing Test cricket. It’s a real test of your mental capacity, your technique.”

Asked if he felt Test cricket was still the ultimate form of the game, Bairstow said: “Absolutely. It’s the traditional game.

“It’s something we’ve definitely got to cherish. I want to go on and play as many Tests as I can because you get remembered for how many Tests you’ve played.

“You could see the crowds that came out for the Ashes.

“There’s so much that can be put forward in making it as big a spectacle as we can.”