England wicket-keeper batter Jonny Bairstow is set to play his 100th Test on Tuesday as they take on India in the final test of the ongoing series at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala. He expressed that reaching the landmark “means hell of a lot” to him.
Jonny Bairstow will become the 17th England cricketer to play 100 Test matches. He acknowledged that it would be an emotional week for him. In 99 Test matches, Bairstow has scored 5974 runs at an average of 36.43, including twelve centuries and 26 fifties. He has endured a tough childhood, having lost his father when he was 8. His mother also battled and defeated breast cancer twice. Bairstow said,
“It means hell of a lot. It will be an emotional week for me.”
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— England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 5, 2024
Ground staff has done a brilliant job: Jonny Bairstow
England batter Jonny Bairstow also praised the Dharamshala groundsmen for their work ahead of the fifth test. The ground came under scrutiny for its poor outfield during the ODI World Cup last year. Bairstow expressed that the pitch is likely to be favourable for both teams. He said,
“The ground staff has done a brilliant job with the outfield considering the state it was in during the ODI World Cup. It looks like a good pitch and if you are alluding to the fast bowlers getting help from the surface, it will be favourable to both teams.”
“Cape Town is my favourite but don’t think there is a more picturesque ground in the world than Dharamsala,” he added.
Jonny Bairstow hasn’t been in the best of forms in the ongoing Test series against India. He has managed just 170 runs at an average of 21.25, with a highest score of 38. England has already lost the series 3-1, before the fifth test. The final test kicks off on Thursday, March 7 in Dharamsala.
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