Jonny Bairstow is excited to be a part of England’s “new journey” at Lord’s this week after returning from the TATA IPL 2022. On Thursday, England will kick off their International summer against New Zealand with newly appointed Head Coach Brendon McCullum and Captain Ben Stokes. It has been a rigorous schedule for the English wicket-keeper batsman, who competed in the T20 World Cup held in the United Arab Emirates, the Ashes in Australia, and toured the West Indies since his last appearance on home soil. In an interview post IPL, speaking on his hectic schedule, Bairstow said, “I don’t want a rest. That hadn’t even come into my mind. I’ve never been one for resting when there are opportunities to play for England.” Further, he also mentioned that Brendon McCullum was the cricketer he idolized and looked up to growing up. And with Mccullum being named the new Head Coach of England, there is a lot to learn for the English wicketkeeper-batsman.
Bairstow, who is also a wicket-keeper batsman with the same batting mindset as McCullum’s, would hugely benefit from the further inclusion. Praising McCullum, Bairstow expressed, “When I started my career, he was someone who was unbelievable at what he did. So I’ll definitely be trying to pick his brains on a few bits while going out and playing my game and my way and adapting along the way, too”. McCullum attacking gameplay with a calm mind can play a crucial role in Bairstow’s development and the success of English cricket. The first Test match of the New Zealand tour of England will begin at the Lord’s, London, on 2nd June. It will be exciting to see the beginning of the ‘new era of England cricket.’