Jonny Bairstow had a memorable Test match against Sri Lanka recently, condeming the visitors to an innings defeat in Leeds. Not only did the local Yorkshireman put on a blistering 140 coming into bat at number 7, he then worked his magic with the gloves, snaring 9 catches behind the stumps during the game, missing just one chance, low down to his right as England took a 1 - 0 lead in the 3 match Test series.
Bairstow helped his side put on a first innings total of 298. On a tough wicket, Alex Hales battled valiantly to a 206 ball 86. Sri Lanka were dismissed for a paltry total of 91 in the first innings, with James Anderson taking 5 wickets and Stuart Broad 4. After being asked to follow on, Sri Lanka fared slightly better during the second innings, being bowled out for 119 this time with Anderson picking up 5 again.
Bairstow has a connection with recently relegated football team Newcastle United to thank for his inspired wicketkeeping performance. Bairstow trained with Newcastle United and Republic of Ireland’s Rob Elliot, the team’s first team goalkeeper before he was injured in March, and reserve keeper Karl Darlow after returning from the South Africa.
Rob Elliot also plays club cricket in Kent as a fast bowler during the close season and the session was organised by England’s assistant coach, Paul Farbrace, who has set up sessions between wicketkeepers and Simon Smith, the Newcastle goalkeeping coach, in the past.
After the South African tour, it was felt that certain aspects of Bairstow’s keeping needed work, particularly his balance and positioning. Bairstown has worked closesly with Bruce French, the England wicketkeeping coach, since returning home in February.
“He did one session with the goalkeeping coaches at Newcastle on balance and shape of the body, he really enjoyed that and got a lot from it.” said Farbrace.
“The work with Frenchy has really helped him and he has had an excellent game behind the stumps. When you’re in the game every ball it is much easier to concentrate and if you think you are going to get a nick every ball it is a good place to be as a keeper as opposed to one coming past the bat every 25 minutes.
“He looked balanced and he looked very strong in his movements in the last two days. In South Africa he looked unbalanced. Predominantly he stood a fraction too wide and so therefore as the ball is delivered into the line of off stump and took the outside edge his first movement was on to his left foot. If you get a nick from there you’re off balance. You are diving backwards and the shape of your hand is almost behind you. When set still you can dive forwards and sideways and then your full hand is facing the ball. The only chance he dropped in this game he got done by the angle of the ball and missed it by a fraction. The rest of the game I thought he kept incredibly well.”
Bairstow will be hoping to carry his good form into the second Test, starting on the 27th of March, Friday at Chester-le-Street, Durham.
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