'There's a reason why I've played for so long': Jonny Bairstow hits back at critics

NEW DELHI: England's wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow responded to critics who questioned his position in the team following their 41-run victory against Namibia in a rain-shortened match. He emphasized that his long-standing presence in international cricket is a testament to his abilities.

Despite facing pressure due to his recent low scores, with only 64 runs in his last four T20Is, Bairstow played a crucial role in England's win. He scored a quick-fire 31 off 18 balls and formed a vital 56-run partnership with Harry Brook for the third wicket, helping England reach a total of 122/5 in their allotted ten overs. This score proved to be sufficient for the defending champions to secure a significant victory over Namibia.

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"Look, people are allowed to have opinions, and yeah, look, it's part and parcel of it. It's not the first time that people have had a go at me, is it? So yeah, you take it on the chin, and you crack on.

"But look, at the end of the day, there's a reason why I've played for so long, and there's a reason why I'm in the team. So maybe sometimes the opinions and the views that come through certain people's eyes are incorrect and maybe need to look at themselves," Bairstow said, as quoted by IANS, in the post-match press conference.

Bairstow, a rare breed among cricketers, continues to participate in all three international formats. While acknowledging the challenges of managing this feat, especially in the current year, he takes pride in his ability to strike a balance between the varying demands of each format.

"I'd like to be keeping wicket and batting in the Tests. That's exactly what I've wanted to do. I haven't spent much time thinking about it. The games have been coming thick and fast. I think I've had about five nights at home since January 11th, when we left.

"So, it's something that you just keep playing, you keep trying to learn, you keep enjoying the experiences and the challenges that get put in front of you, and I think that that's the important bit.

"When you are on tour and when you're fortunate enough to play in the different formats and the different countries that you have around the world, the willingness and the enjoyment and the challenges you've got to accept and sometimes overcome them and look at times it does get difficult.

"At times, it is hard to adapt from format to format, and it does take a little bit of change, but look, it's something that I've done for all my career, and I wouldn't change anything of it to be quite honest with you because to be fortunate enough to play in all three formats for England it's something that I'm very, very proud of," he elaborated.

When questioned about his thoughts on being shifted up and down the order, Bairstow responded, "Look I'm not sure that's going to be a permanent thing I don't know what's going on with that. Here, that was the decision that was made.

"You go out there and you perform in the positions that you're asked to do so. That partnership in the middle there, like I said, after losing two early on was an imperative partnership and something that, look, if Harry and I can bat for a period of time through the middle, there's going to be some decent scores."

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