Jonny Bairstow (Photo Source: Twitter)
With India and England all set to conclude their ongoing Test series, the fifth and final Test would mean a lot more to veteran England wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow. The 34-year-old will be playing his 100th Test for England in the upcoming game. India and England face off in the fifth Test at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on Thursday, March 7.
Bairstow will become the 17th English cricketer to reach the 100 Test mark, and it is worth noting that Test skipper Ben Stokes earlier completed 100 Tests in the series.
As the landmark clash approached, Bairstow took centre stage and reflected on how much it means to him to have played so many Test matches for England and joked about how the side might have prepared a surprise barbeque for him.
“Playing 100 Tests means a hell of a lot. There might be a surprise barbecue from the team… I am joking,” Bairstow was quoted as saying by India Today.
Furthermore, the star batter also talked about his form in the series so far. In the four matches that he has played against India as part of the tour, Bairstow has only managed to amass 170 runs with an average of 21.25 runs.
“I have been feeling good, but runs haven’t come. I have been in the zone every game in the series so far,” Bairstow said.
Ground staff have done an amazing job: Bairstow
The 34-year-old also took the opportunity to thank the groundsmen for their efforts in keeping the pitch in a ready-to-play condition, as the HPCA stadium in Dharamshala had hosted four Ranji Trophy matches recently.
“It’s a used pitch from the Ranji Trophy last month… let’s see. Ground staff have done an amazing job with the pitch considering the weather we have had here,” Bairstow added.
The game could only prove to be a consolation for Ben Stokes-led England as India have already clinched the series, winning three out of the first four matches. However, a win for England could help their case in the World Test Championship standings.
Also Read: IND vs ENG: Jonny Bairstow dedicates 100th Test cap to his two-time cancer survivor mother