Playing his 100th long-format match means “hell of a lot” to wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow, with the fifth and final test of the highly anticipated series between India and England set to begin on March 7. Jonny Bairstow will play in his 100th Test match for England against India in their fifth match in Dharamshala after head coach Brendon McCullum confirmed his inclusion in the starting eleven.
It is noteworthy that Bairstow won’t be the only player to reach 100 Test appearances at Dharamsala. At the same location, veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is scheduled to play in his 100th Test match for his country. Two players are marking their 100th Test appearance in the same match for just the fourth time in the longest format’s history.
Alec Stewart and former England captain Michael Atherton played their 100th test match at Old Trafford against the West Indies in the 2000 season. Jonny Bairstow was not having a memorable series, but he will have a chance to finish the series on a high note.
Playing 100 Tests means a hell of a lot – Jonny Bairstow
Bairstow included in the playing XI for the entire series as Harry Brook was not available due to personal reasons. Jonny Bairstow made his test debut during the home series against the West Indies in 2012 but Bairstow not got much success at the middle order. Following an unusual golfing accident that broke his leg, Bairstow has had difficulty reviving his career. In 2012, the Englishman debuted in a test match at Lord’s. Bairstow has not scored a century in his last ten test matches since his return following a strange accident.
“Playing 100 Tests means a hell of a lot. It will be an emotional week for me,” Bairstow said during the pre-match press conference.
It’s a used pitch from the Ranji Trophy- Jonny Bairstow on playing conditions for the last test
During Tuesday’s pre-match press conference, England’s Bairstow expressed his opinions regarding the playing field. Bairstow stated that a used wicket from the Ranji Trophy match had been constructed at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium.
“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. They have done a great job with the outfield here in Dharamsala. Looks good. The ground is one of the most picturesque venues in the world,” Bairstow said.
Five months ago, during England’s match against Bangladesh in the league stage of the 2023 ODI World Cup, Bairstow achieved his 100 caps in ODIs in Dharamsala. Bairstow hit a fifty in that game to give his team a resounding win.
“It looks like a good pitch and if you are alluding to the fast bowlers getting help from the surface, it will be favorable to both teams,” Bairstow added.
I have been in the zone- Jonny Bairstow
Bairstow also discussed his performance thus far in the series. Bairstow has only managed to score 170 runs at an average of 21.25 in the four games he has played against India as part of the tour. Bairstow looked in touch in the Ranchi test as he scored 38 and 30 runs in the first and second innings, respectively, but England lost that match by 5 wickets. Bairstow said about his own form:
“I have been feeling good but runs haven’t come. I have been in the zone every game in the series so far.”
With three of the first four matches already won, India has already secured the series, therefore the match might only serve as a consolation for Ben Stokes’ England team. A victory for England, though, might improve their position in the World Test Championship rankings.