Jonny Bairstow, the wicketkeeper-batsman for England, was aggressive with the media during the news conference that followed the conclusion of Day 3 during the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford.
The Yorkshire batter has been under par behind the stumps during the Ashes 10 months after suffering a career-threatening injury, and he was under pressure to keep his job going into the match at Old Trafford.
“It gets a bit tiresome to be honest with you”: Jonny Bairstow
Jonny Bairstow said, “Keeping after three years is not easy. It is one of those things that takes a bit of time to get back to irrelevant of the ankle. It would be like you guys taking the three years sabbatical and then coming back and writing at same level.”
During the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Jonny Bairstow produced an unbroken 99 to put the home team in the lead. Bairstow, who has come under fire for his behaviour, claimed he has become accustomed to the criticism.
He added that, “Chiiter-chatter and opinion have been rather interesting at times, especially when there is no conversation about how my ankle is. Whether they are fair, not fair is up to you guys to decide because you guys are writing it. Everyone thinks that I play better when people go at me, it gets a bit tiresome to be honest with you.”
He also discussed his recuperation from the bizarre golfing mishap that left him with a horrifying shattered leg when chatting to Sky Sports.
The Punjab Kings player said that “I’ve not kept wicket for three years. I’ve got nine pins, a plate and a wire that goes through my ankle. It’s part and parcel of it, I’ve had nine months out. It’s not the lack of overs. I’m still just 10 months post-operation right now. So when you speak to the surgeon and he says: ‘I’m surprised you’re walking and running, never mind playing professional sport,’ I’m delighted to be where I’m at.”
Fans react to Jonny Bairstow’s interaction with media:
Jonny Bairstow said, "I've played a lot of cricket now and to be keep being told that I'm rubbish. If I was that rubbish, I wouldn't have played 94 Tests". pic.twitter.com/TrdfsdwFNN
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 22, 2023
Wont make u relevant without McCullum
— Harman (@62AtTheGabba) July 22, 2023
Rahane has also played 83 tests.. he's a "specialist batsman".. you atleast keep wickets
— Anand Vihar (@viharanand08) July 22, 2023
Bro you have Played 94 test matches and still averages 36. If this is not rubbish then what ?
— Point (@Fortressview) July 22, 2023
No one knows he played 94 tests till now???
— Sai Santhosh (@im__sai18) July 22, 2023
I never knew that he played 90+ test matches ?, thought like a 50!
— Believe (@ilostmydollar11) July 22, 2023
He's played 94??? Woww
— Althaf (@Althafrma) July 22, 2023
Bohot zyada khel gaya ye tou
— ? ICT Fan (@tiredictfan) July 22, 2023
He has more ducks than 100s in tests and overall 23 100s and 28 ducks ??
— Zimbabar Azambwe (@Azam_says) July 22, 2023
— Rutik Dawange (@dawange_rutik) July 22, 2023
37 avg is Rubbish indeed
— ? (@PackedBishh) July 22, 2023
