'I'm not blind' - Brendon McCullum makes feelings clear on Jonny Bairstow with England batter under pressure

'I'm not blind' - Brendon McCullum makes feelings clear on Jonny Bairstow with England batter under pressure

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Brendon McCullum discusses Jonny Bairstow

Lewis Winter

By Lewis Winter


Published: 19/02/2024

- 17:18

The England coach has given an honest verdict on the Yorkshireman's struggles

England coach Brendon McCullum has acknowledged that Jonny Bairstow is going through a rough patch during the series against India.

However, the New Zealander is backing the batter to come good in the final two matches in Ranchi and Dharamsala.


Bairstow has scored just 102 runs in his six innings in the series so far, averaging 17 and hitting a top score of 37.

His performance in the heavy defeat in Rajkot last time out was perhaps the most concerning, recording scores of zero and four.

Brendon McCullum and Jonny Bairstow

Brendon McCullum has spoken on England batter Jonny Bairstow ahead of the fourth India Test

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Bairstow was one of the original spearheads of the Bazball style of play first implemented by McCullum and captain Ben Stokes in 2022.

But he suffered an horrific leg break later that year and was unable to hit his previous heights during the Ashes last summer.

Bairstow is now without the gloves, with Ben Foakes impressing as wicket-keeper in India, so is playing as a batter only at number five.

His styles of dismissal have been described as 'mild' by McCullum, falling LBW to Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Jadeja in Rajkot.

McCullum couldn't confirm whether the Yorkshire star will keep his spot in Ranchi but believes it is likely.

He said: "You know I can't answer that, I haven't even seen the wicket. But I'd anticipate Jonny would be playing, yes."

However, McCullum admits Bairstow has underperformed in terms of weight of runs, as well as getting out to a few soft dismissals.

But he has fully backed the 34-year-old to turn his form around and prove why he is such an important member of the side.

McCullum added: "Yeah look, he's not scored the volume of runs he would have wanted and a couple of times he's got out kind of mildly for someone who's got the power game Jonny's got.

"I don't have concerns over him. I'm not blind but he's done so well for us and he's had such an impactful career.

"We know that a top-quality Jonny Bairstow is as good as anyone in any conditions.

"So from our point of view, we've got to keep on giving him confidence and block out a lot of the external noise as well and keep him really present and focused on what he's trying to achieve, and I'm sure Jonny will come good."

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Jonny Bairstow

Jonny Bairstow scored just four runs in the third Test against India

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Joe Root is another player England need to find form if they are to get back into the series they currently trail 2-1.

He has scored just 77 runs in six innings with a top score of 29 and received criticism for his dismissal in the first innings in Rajkot.

Root's reverse scoop off Jasprit Bumrah went straight to slip but McCullum is not concerned by the manner he got out.

He said: "He's got out twice doing it. You can get nicked off defending one or trying to drive one through the leg side.

"I don't know if it is as high-risk shot in the modern game as what it appears in the previous game.

Joe Root

Joe Root has also struggled with the bat for England against India

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"I would say that his statistics in the last 18 months or so, whilst people see a shot like that and they go 'oh, Joe Root is struggling to deal with this new regime' - but have a look at the numbers.

"He's averaging higher. He's striking at a higher rate. His impact on the game is still very, very significant.

"Imagine if this becomes the norm for Joe as well, with the talent that he possesses and the history that he's got. And then what's the ceiling?

"So this is a point: do we want just a normal Joe Root, or do we want a Joe Root that is even better. How many games are we going to win if that happens?"

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