Former England captain Michael Vaughan applauded Jonny Bairstow for his breathtaking knock on Day 3 of the fourth Ashes Test at Manchester. He smashed a stunning 99, leading the tail to lead England to a massive 592 in their first innings as well. Notably, Bairstow has been criticized for his dismal batting and poor wicket-keeping throughout the series.
However, Vaughan praised Bairstow’s batting while giving credit to the selectors for sticking with him as well.
“He’s got the bit between his teeth. He’s always dangerous when he’s got a point to prove. But full credit to the selectors for sticking with him. Reckon that catch of Mitchell Marsh gave him confidence. Always look at wicket keepers and think how it is to keep and drop a catch and then have to bat knowing you owe the team 50-60 before facing a ball,” he told Cricbuzz.
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“So the mentality side of keeping is always amazing, they are strong and tough. Jonny Bairstow at his best today. Some of those sixers were absolutely monsters,” he further added.
However, Jonny Bairstow was in sublime form during the arrival of the Bazball batting style, but a leg injury in September last year ruled him out before the current English summer. And, his knock came under immense pressure as he averaged less than 30 against Australia in 24 Tests before. And, Michael Vaughan applauded him for the knock.
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“Don’t think you can play better than England have this week. They’ve played absolutely magnificently in every facet. With ball in hand on the first day to batting with great control. Scoring quickly but it was controlled aggression and today with ball in hand to get those 4 wickets on a pitch that’s doing nothing. This England side have the Aussies on the ropes,” said Vaughan.
“England have played a way where they know the field has been spread and I’ve been impressed with the rotation of strike. They’ve utilized these big gaps in the field and knocked it into space and said to Pat Cummins this is Bazball with brain,” concluded Michael Vaughan.
