Jonny Bairstow’s hopes of earning a red-ball recall have taken a blow after he lost his England Test contract.
The England and Wales Cricket Board announced its central contracts for the next 12 months on Wednesday and, while the 31-year-old has been given white-ball terms, his omission from the list of deals given out in the longest format was notable.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at what is next for the Yorkshireman and whether this really is the end for him in England’s whites.
Where did it go wrong?
A brilliant return @jbairstow21! ?
Scorecard: https://t.co/MKBvuNAsLZ#SLvENG pic.twitter.com/6x4SUIzrUp
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) November 23, 2018
Bairstow’s form has declined dramatically during the last two years. A superb 110 against Sri Lanka in Colombo back in November 2018 appeared to mark the start of a new chapter after he batted at three. It was his third century in the space of 12 months, but in 20 Test innings since – in a variety of different positions – he has mustered only two fifties and an average of 17.45, plus a forgettable pair against Ireland at Lord’s.
Who has displaced Bairstow?
What next for the Bradford-born gloveman?
Jonny Bairstow reflects on the wealth of talent coming through the Yorkshire Academy ?
Watch the full interview ? #OneRose
— Yorkshire CCC (@YorkshireCCC) August 14, 2020
An average of 34.74 in Test cricket with 184 catches and 13 stumpings from 70 matches may be where it finishes for Bairstow. Out of England’s red-ball side this summer, he played twice for Yorkshire in the Bob Willis Trophy and will get more opportunities to feature for them in the County Championship moving forward. He also still remains a crucial member of Eoin Morgan’s one-day team in both formats.
A silver lining?
