JONNY BE GOOD FOR PITCHES DOWN UNDER

JONNY Bairstow was always a given for his spot in the Ashes squad, and he will love keeping out in Australia – it’s the easiest place in the world to be behind the stumps. The only time it will get challenging is keeping on the fourth or fifth day in the rough.

It doesn’t break up like it does in England, and the rough is quite a small area. The biggest thing is your concentration because the batsmen are constantly hitting the ball and you can be standing up to the stumps and not taking anything. That’s when you need to stay focused and make sure you’re expecting every ball.

Jonny has come on leaps and bounds, but he still has work to do and is still learning his trade. He’s a workaholic and will keep going, and this is a long tour which should help him learn.

Australia is a good place to get your feet moving, because you know the bounce is going to be consistent.

It’s a good place to stand up to the medium pacers too, and that can be tricky. Jonny will certainly be stronger when England return next spring.