Bairstow 'deeply hurt' by Test omission

Cricket365
June 8, 2014

England back-up wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow was full of woe after being left out of the Test side to face Sri Lanka, but vowed to impress with Yorkshire and regain his place through weight of runs.

While Bairstow was the man in possession of the gloves for England, having kept in their last Test in Australia, the selectors went back to veteran Matt Prior after he recovered from Achilles injuries.

Bairstow, who played in Oz after Prior was dropped for poor form, told <i>Sky Sports News</i>: "It's disappointing not to get selected but that's the nature of professional sport. I'm here at Yorkshire and happy playing as many games as I can.

"I've just got to go out and score as many runs as I can. Of course it hurts – everyone wants to play for their country. It's hurting deep down inside. But with the schedule as it is, I've just got to get on with it and play the next game."

He confirmed that he had been informed about it before the announcement, saying: "There was a conversation and there will be a couple more coming up. That will be just how we can go forward and hopefully how I can get back in the mix.

"It was just a case of playing as much cricket as I can. Obviously in Australia I only played the last couple of games.

"So it's important for me to get out there, keeping wicket and scoring runs, doing what I've been doing for the last four years. That's what's really exciting for me, playing with guys I've grown up with at Yorkshire."

Bairstow was full of congratulations for his Vikings team-mate Liam Plunkett, who was called up after last playing for England in 2007. Plunkett has consistently been one of the fastest bowlers in the circuit this season.

Bairstow said: "He's bowling rockets – good, good pace and very hostile as well. He's not being afraid to come around the wicket at batsman and it's made people uncomfortable.

"He's bowling well and he's in good form. We wish him all the best and hopefully he gets the nods to play Sri Lanka."