Jonny Bairstow is determined not to let his international hiatus last any longer. Speaking candidly at Yorkshire’s pre-season media day at Headingley, the 35-year-old expressed his firm belief that aiming for an England comeback this summer is a necessity, not an option.
Staying in the Frame
Despite not donning the England shirt for nine months—the last appearance coming during the T20 World Cup semi-final loss to India—Bairstow is adamant about his ambition. “Yes, because I’m still contracted,” he remarked when asked about the likelihood of a recall. “I’d be stupid not to. The whole purpose of everything is to try and play for England, and that will be the challenge for the whole group.” Bairstow’s frustration is palpable as he recalls being sidelined from the Test side during a summer revamp following a 4-1 tour of India, even though he celebrated his 100th cap in the final Test at Dharamshala.
Since that time, the selectors have preferred other wicketkeeper-batters for England. Jamie Smith’s presence at the start of the 2024 Test season and subsequent shifts involving Jordan Cox, Ollie Robinson, and even Ollie Pope have left Bairstow on the periphery despite his continued efforts. In limited-overs cricket, the decision to replace Phil Salt with Smith—and the later adjustments following Jos Buttler’s relinquishment of keeping duties—further complicated his case.
Aiming for Redemption
Bairstow’s pathway back to international cricket is clear: score runs. “As an ‘exile’ and someone who hasn’t played for however long, it’s something that of course you want to get back to. And that comes by scoring runs,” he stated. The former standout, who once enjoyed a sensational summer in 2022 under the Bazball approach led by Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, is now keen to prove he still possesses the form that made him a dominant force in both ODI and Test cricket. His twin centuries against India at Headingley during that memorable summer, before a broken leg curtailed his momentum, remain a testament to his potential.
With India scheduled for a five-Test series this summer followed by an Ashes tour in winter, Bairstow is confident his record against these top opponents—bolstered by a century on each of his last two tours of Australia—will strengthen his case for a recall. “It was just mentioned around form, really,” he added, dismissing early criticism as subjective. “This is obviously a big summer with India, then Australia coming up. My numbers against those two teams have been good.”
Focus on Yorkshire
For now, Bairstow’s immediate responsibility lies with Yorkshire, who have earned promotion to Division One. The county’s red-ball season is set to commence with Joe Root and Harry Brook also expected to feature in the early rounds of the Championship. Recent conversations have even hinted at Bairstow potentially taking over the red-ball captaincy, a role previously held by Shan Masood, though final confirmation has been delayed—partly due to speculation about his commitments in leagues like the IPL and PSL.
Reflecting on his long-term ambitions, Bairstow acknowledged that while he can “load the gun,” the decision to pull the trigger isn’t solely in his hands. “It’s not my choice. I’ll let the rest take care of itself,” he said, emphasizing that his main focus is on delivering strong performances for Yorkshire.
Looking Ahead
Bairstow’s journey back into the England setup hinges on his ability to rediscover the form that once made him indispensable. With high-profile series against India and Australia on the horizon, every run he scores for Yorkshire could serve as a stepping stone back into international contention. For a player who has experienced both the highs of international success and the challenges of exclusion, the upcoming summer represents not just another season, but a crucial opportunity for redemption.
