BAIRSTOW UP FOR FIGHT
Jonny Bairstow has no intention of becoming the sacrificial lamb of England’s one-day side, having finally found a role at the head of the innings.
The Yorkshire batsman has missed more 50-over games than he has played since making his international bow in September 2011, appearing in just 33 of England’s 80 matches.
For much of that time, he has been viewed as a dependable squad man, occasionally keeping wicket, batting at every position in the top six and often being asked to fill a spot at short notice.
Yet, for the past seven matches, he has found a steady role opening the innings, hitting two unbeaten centuries against the West Indies.
Somebody will have to make way when Ben Stokes returns to the side, as he is set to do in New Zealand next month, and Jason Roy’s record-breaking 180 at the MCG – in Sunday’s ODI series opener – makes him effectively untouchable.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow morning’s second ODI at the Gabba in Brisbane, when England will look to build on their impressive victory in Melbourne and take a 2-0 lead, Bairstow made a strong case that he should not be the one to step aside either.
“I have worked my a*** off to get to where I am, to fight for a position in the side,” he said.
“I like to think every time I have come in, whether that be on a oneoff game over the last two years when I have got man of the match or whether it be batting at four, six, keeping wicket or opening the batting... I hope I have come in and done well enough to keep my spot.
“I’ve been asked to open the batting in six games and I have scored two hundreds in those games.
“It is going to take a bit of time to completely know and understand (opening), but I have been really pleased with how I have started in the role.”
The 28-year-old, meanwhile, laughed off suggestions that England’s winning start at the MCG was down to an Australian Ashes hangover.
Bairstow said: “You can’t just say because they have lost the first game that it’s a result of celebrating the Ashes.
“It’s a different squad, lots of different people.”