The loyal Yorkshire crowd at Headingley couldn’t help but express their exasperation and disappointment as Jonny Bairstow’s struggles with the gloves continued during the first day of the third Ashes Test. Despite England’s dominant performance in the morning session, claiming four Australian wickets and reducing them to 91/4 by lunch, Bairstow’s form behind the stumps cast a shadow over the team’s advantage.
Playing in front of his home crowd, Bairstow missed two crucial chances, including a straightforward catch of Travis Head, which could have given England an even greater advantage. The first opportunity came when Ollie Robinson’s delivery found the edge of Steve Smith’s bat, but the deflection made it a challenging chance rather than a straightforward catch.
However, it was Jonny Bairstow’s second missed chance that caused the most frustration. In the 24th over, Mark Wood unleashed a fast short delivery that troubled Head. The Australian batsman instinctively tried to fend off the ball, making slight contact with the bat’s face.
Jonny Bairstow, positioned a distance away from the stumps, failed to react quickly enough and made a lazy attempt, only managing to get fingertips on the ball as it slipped away for a run. The missed opportunity left both Wood and Stuart Broad devastated, considering Head’s recent struggles against England.
— Octopus Yadav (@OctopusYadav) July 6, 2023
The crowd, too, was stunned into silence by the error. Jonny Bairstow has been under intense scrutiny for his poor wicketkeeping throughout the series, with a string of dropped catches in the first two Tests. His questionable actions at Lord’s, which cost England dearly, have further intensified the pressure on the 33-year-old. Bairstow now finds himself in dire need of redemption to secure his place in the team moving forward.
As the Ashes series continues, Bairstow must address his wicketkeeping woes and demonstrate a significant improvement to regain the trust of his teammates, fans, and selectors. The Yorkshireman will be eager to make amends and prove his worth in the crucial matches ahead.
Brilliant morning of Cricket from England. Only negative is Jonny Bairstow’s two dropped catches. He needs to make up for it with the bat this test as he’s been pretty poor all round up to this point. #Ashes2023
— Jack Gill (@jacklfcgill) July 6, 2023
@ESPNcricinfo Would be interesting to know how many catches Bairstow has dropped this series and how many runs that has cost England
— Brad sexton (@Brad_Sexton125) July 6, 2023
Smith’s arrogantly disputed his wicket, Bairstow’s clumsily dropped one, Robinson’s sent down some nude nuts: a morning to keep everyone happy.
— Daniel Brigham (@dan_brigham) July 6, 2023
Controversial #Ashes opinion incoming:
Bairstow has so far cost England 2 wins. Largely from drops, missed stumpings and the second one from going for a walkabout. He has already dropped another two this morning.— Tom Parkhill (@tomparkhill) July 6, 2023
Understand Bairstow can be a threat with the bat but he’s dropped some massive caches in this series, two today alone! Surely, Foakes has to be the better option behind the stumps?
— Justin Bird (Juggy) (@juggy1993) July 6, 2023
Travis Head should’ve walked after that edge. Bairstow dropped it cold, but in the spirit of the game he tried his best. Gotta reward the attempt.
— Todd Balym (@balymt) July 6, 2023
Love Bairstow batting but his keeping has been shocking all series. You have to have a proper glove man behind the stumps 🤦♂️
Dropped head and smith. Luckily we got smith not long after. https://t.co/nndnHv4IXQ
— Akeevah (@_ek44) July 6, 2023
Rally do not know why England keep Bairstow as keeper. Lots of extras & 1 regulation dropped catch + another tougher one. #Ashes https://t.co/NfLZRTmRaV
— Chizzik Chap (@mgdance) July 6, 2023
