Jonny Bairstow aims for England recall after being dropped
- Jonny Bairstow lost his place in the England team across all formats last year and hasn't played since June 2024.
- He is focused on performing well for Yorkshire to regain national team selection.
- Bairstow remains hopeful of a recall, emphasizing the importance of scoring runs.
In England, Jonny Bairstow, a prominent cricketer, finds himself in a difficult position as he seeks to make a comeback to the national team. After losing his spot in all formats last year, he has not been included in a squad since the T20 World Cup in June 2024. As the county season approaches, Bairstow is determined to prove himself once again by scoring heavily for Yorkshire. At 35 years old, he remains under contract with England for another six months, which keeps the door open for a potential return. Bairstow, known for his impressive statistics, including 23 international centuries, believes that he can still make a significant impact. He reflects on the subjective nature of performance assessments that led to his exclusion, stating that others' opinions should not diminish his confidence. He emphasizes the need to focus on scoring runs in the upcoming season to solidify his case for a recall to the England squad during a critical period for the team. Since Bairstow's last appearance, several wicketkeeper-batters have been brought into the England setup, including Jamie Smith, who took Bairstow's place. Nonetheless, Bairstow does not question his past successes, especially in crucial matches against top international teams. As he gears up for the County Championship, he remains hopeful that strong performances could compel selectors to rediscover faith in his capabilities. The pressure is on for Bairstow, who aspires to return to the international arena, particularly as England faces an important phase in Test cricket. He acknowledges the challenge ahead while setting a clear focus on delivering results for his county team, hopeful that this will pave the way for his anticipated return to England duty.