England Test coach Brendon McCullum has backed Jonny Bairstow as the wicketkeeper-batsman tries to rediscover his lost form after registering scores of 0 and 4 in the team's 434-run defeat in the third Test against India. Bairstow's performance in the Test series has been disappointing and he has an average of 17.00 from six innings. Before the start of the series, England skipper Ben Stokes had backed Bairstow to do wonders as he only had to concentrate on his batting, with wicketkeeper Ben Foakes taking the responsibility behind the stumps.
“We've seen what we've gotten out of him, and I don't want him to worry about anything other than hitting five, scoring runs and what's in store for him in the here and now,” Stokes said ahead of the series. quoted from ESPNcricinfo.
With Bairstow struggling to find his form and the Three Lions drawn 2-1 in the series, the English management would be faced with a dilemma as to whether to back the wicketkeeper-batsman or someone else would take his place.
But McCullum gave a strong hint that the veteran batsman would retain his place for the fourth Test in Ranchi, which would mark his 99th Test cap for England.
“You know I can't answer that, I haven't even seen the wicket. But I expected Jonny to play, yes,” McCullum said, according to ESPNcricinfo.
Bairstow showed his true potential during Stokes' first six matches as captain of the Test team.
He hit four centuries and amassed 681 runs at a rate of 96.59 and an average of 75.66. However, after that string of performances, he has struggled to score points and live up to his reputation.
“Yeah look, he hasn't scored the number of runs he would have liked and a few times he's come out mildly for someone who has the power game that Jonny has,” McCullum said.
“I'm not worried about him. I'm not blind but he's done so well for us and he's had such an impactful career. We know a top quality Jonny Bairstow is as good as anyone, under all circumstances. So from our point of view we have to continue to give him confidence and also block out a lot of external noise and keep him really present and focused on what he's trying to achieve, and I'm sure Jonny will perform well.” he added to.
India will take on England in the fourth Test in Ranchi on February 23.
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