Jonny

Bairstow

Jonny Bairstow Biography and Career

Wicket-keeping batsman for England, Jonny Bairstow is one the most versatile and explosive batsmen for the team. Known for his unpredictable approach in his batting methods and his "spontaneous & instinctive" nature, Bairstow is one of a kind player England has witnessed.

Bairstow is an all-format player. His ability to dominate bowlers from the start makes him a vital member of his team. As a wicketkeeper, his skill and sharp reflexes have earned him praise.

It was 2011 when Bairstow got his first break to play for the national team after his performance in the domestic games was highly praised by England Cricket.

During his domestic career, Bairstow was associated with Yorkshire County Cricket Club which began in 2008 when he joined the Second XI. His impressive performances, including a standout 202 not out against Leicestershire Second XI, led to his first-class debut in 2009 against Somerset at Headingley.

Such performances led him to play for the national team at a very young age. He made his One Day International (ODI) debut against India on September 16, 2011, in which he scored an unbeaten 41 off 21 balls, which earned him the Player of the Match award.

In the same year, he made his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut against the West Indies on September 23. However, he did not get the chance to bat in his debut.

Along with his international career, he was associated with his domestic career. In the 2012 season, he scored two centuries for Yorkshire which eventually earned him a spot in the England squad for the first Test match against West Indies at Lord's in May.

On May 17, 2012, he made his Test debut against West Indies. While his initial Test series was challenging, the breakthrough moment came during the 2015-16 tour of South Africa, where he alongside Ben Stokes, set a world-record sixth-wicket partnership of 399 runs, with Bairstow contributing an unbeaten 150, solidifying his reputation as a valuable batsman.

The peak in Bairstow's career came during the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup. His consecutive 100+ scores against India and New Zealand in the group stages were instrumental in driving England to the semi-finals. The tournament ended in a historic final at Lord's, where England defeated New Zealand to win their first World Cup title.

Bairstow's adaptability is evident in his seamless transition across different formats of cricket. In ODIs, he became the first English batsman to register three consecutive centuries in 2018. He scored 138 and 104 against New Zealand and 105 against Scotland.

His aggressive style and ability to score quick runs have made him a favourite in T20 leagues around the world, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he has represented franchises such as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Punjab Kings (PBKS).

He made his IPL debut in 2019 playing for SRH. He scored 445 runs in 10 matches in his first season and formed a destructive opening pair with Australian batsman David Warner. In his debut season, Bairstow showed his worth by hitting a century. He scored 114 runs in a match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

After being released by the SRH, he was picked up by PBKS in the 2022 mega auction for Rs 6.75 crore. However, he had a lukewarm season, scoring only 253 runs in 11 games.

In 2022, Bairstow received the Professional Cricketers' Association Men's Cricketer of the Year award and the Cricket Writers' Club Bob Willis Trophy for his impressive performance in the 2022 season. He was also nominated for the 2022 Men's Test Cricketer of the Year title and was named in the ICC Men's Test Team of the Year.

In 2022, Bairstow scored 1,061 runs in 10 Test matches played that year. He achieved this feat by scoring 6 centuries and 1 half-century. His best score of 162 in that season came against New Zealand on June 23, 2022.

Bairstow suffered a major setback in August 2022 with a foot injury sustained while playing golf that kept him out of cricket for several months. Demonstrating his strength, he made a strong return to domestic cricket with Yorkshire in May 2023 and rejoined the England Test squad in June 2023.

Beyond Cricket

Off the field, Jonny Bairstow leads a life full of various interests and commitments. An avid supporter of Leeds United Football Club, his passion for football dates back to his youth, during which he was part of the Leeds United academy for eight years. He also loves playing golf and often shares his experiences on various courses via social media, reflecting his love for the sport.

Family remains central to Bairstow's life. He shares a close bond with his mother, Janet Bairstow, who made history in 2020 by becoming the first female vice-president of Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

In 2017, Bairstow co-authored his autobiography, "A Clear Blue Sky", which provided a close look at his personal journey, the challenges he faced, and the indomitable spirit that drives him.

Bairstow is also passionate about fitness. He often shares glimpses of his training sessions on his social media handle.

Apart from cricket, Bairstow has also been involved in several brand endorsements, such as the TON Elite cricket bat.

Jonny Bairstow Records

Jonny Bairstow Test Records:

• Highest sixth-wicket partnership (2016): Partnership of 399 runs with Ben Stokes against South Africa, where he scored 150 not out.

• Most runs in a calendar year by a wicket-keeper (2016): Scored 1,470 runs in 17 matches with a strike rate of 58.21, including 3 centuries and 8 half-century.

• Most dismissals in a calendar year by a wicket-keeper (2016): Caught 66 and stumped 4 total 70 dismissals in 17 matches.

• Most centuries by a player in Test (2022): Hit 6 centuries in 10 matches, surpassing Joe Root (5 centuries).

Jonny Bairstow ODI Records:

• First English batsman to register three consecutive centuries (2018): Scored 138 and 104 against New Zealand and 105 against Scotland.

• Over 1,000 runs in a calendar year (2018): Scored 1,025 runs in 22 matches with a strike rate of 118.22, including 4 centuries.

Jonny Bairstow T20I Records:

• Third most career sixes for England: Hit 76 sixes between 2011 and 2024.