Bairstow 'deeply hurt' by Test omission
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.
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."
Latest
-
County CricketMiddlesex relegated from Division One as Kent survive on dramatic final day
Middlesex fell just short of the victory they needed at Nottinghamshire to stay up instead of Kent.
-
IndiaEngland captain Jos Buttler believes India are favourites for World Cup
The last three editions of the Cricket World Cup – India in 2011, Australia in 2015 and England in 2019 – have been won by the host nation.
-
County CricketSurrey retain County Championship title after Essex batting collapse
The holders have been crowned champions for the 21st time.
-
County CricketGeoffrey Boycott: Everybody in Newcastle hates Mike Ashley amid Headingley links
The PA news agency understands the Frasers Group, where Ashley is chief executive, is one of the parties interested in purchasing Headingley.
-
County CricketEssex’s slim hopes of winning County Championship dented by Northamptonshire
Essex need at least 400 to have any chance of claiming top spot.
-
EnglandMatthew Mott: Jofra Archer ‘desperate to play but realistic’ ahead of World Cup
The 28-year-old is not expected to be ready to return to action until the tournament is close to a conclusion.
-
-
County CricketUmpire Sue Redfern makes history in County Championship match at Glamorgan
Redfern became the first woman to stand as an umpire in a men’s first-class match in England and Wales.
-
EnglandEngland’s summer ends in soggy fashion and prompts a call for innovation
The one-day international against Ireland at Bristol was abandoned.
-
EnglandEngland win ODI series against Ireland after play is abandoned at Bristol
Ben Duckett had scored a century and Phil Salt 61 off just 28 balls before rain stopped play.