When Bairstow was glad to keep it in the family
PLAYING for your country is special for any player but for Jonny Bairstow it always has added meaning given he is following in the footsteps of his late father David.
Like Jonny, Bairstow Snr also kept wicket for Yorkshire and England. However, he was lost to cricket, and life, far too early when he committed suicide in January 1998.
Playing for England for the first time, as he did in a ODI against India in Cardiff in 2011, and scoring his first Test century, a feat achieved at Cape Town in January of last year, had added poignancy for Jonny.
The same can be said of attending the England players’ dinner the day before the current squad set off for the Caribbean last week, when Bairstow not only rubbed shoulders with former team-mates of his father but received a special keepsake that will take pride of place at home.
The dinner was the brainchild of Andrew Strauss, England’s director of cricket, and an attempt to connect the current players with their forbearers.
Over 250 past and present internationals attended and each was given a commemorative cap to add to the one they were given when they made their debut.
Bairstow, who under different circumstances might have been attending the dinner with his dad, will be given an extra cap for the father he lost as a youngster.
It’s a nice touch from the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and one that means a lot to the current Test wicketkeeper.
“We were presented with caps which I’m sure you’ve seen guys post on social media,” said Bairstow.
“We’ve got our playing caps but having that thing there that you get framed is great.
“I’m going to get one for dad as well with his numbers on and we can have them both next to each other. Being able to do that will be a very special thing to look at further down the line.
“I thought that was a really special evening and something I’ll never forget. Who knows when, or if, it will be replicated.”
Bairstow added: “It was a cracking night. I was sat next to Alec Stewart, we had Bob Taylor on our table as well so it was a bit of a keepers’ union. It was a fantastic do.
“To be lucky enough to be part of an exclusive club – playing for England – is very special. Then to bring people together who are part of that exclusive club is something people I don’t think will appreciate until a little bit further down the line.”
Each player was asked to write a piece of advice for those that will represent England after them.
Bairstow was reluctant to reveal what he had said, but said: “I think that’s a good way of doing it because everyone’s got different experiences, some good or bad, things people regret or don’t.
“Bringing those bits of information together collectively will be very, very powerful whether that’s in a book or an advice thing for whoever’s coming through in the future.”