NEWS
Follow UsJonny Bairstow was the only England player to feature in all four of the ODI World Cup 2023, the five-match Test series in India, the IPL 2024 and the T20 World Cup 2024. The 34-year-old said he had to make "sacrifices" and was happy to get some “much-needed break” after being left out of the England squad for the ongoing Test series against the West Indies.
"It was a much-needed break, to be honest with you. It was nice to spend a bit of time at home, get away from cricket, do normal things, catch up with the family - and not slip over," Bairstow told BBC after Welsh Fire defeated Manchester Originals by eight wickets in Match 3 of The Hundred 2024.
"I had the best part of seven months away from home since January. I had five nights at home in my own bed until three weeks ago. That's the scheduling of the game. That's being lucky enough to be a part of all three formats and that's the thing you have to sacrifice, time at home.
"At the same time, when you are away for that period of time, it takes its toll… those are the sacrifices that you make, so to have a bit of home time and to have a special little period was pretty awesome."
Bairstow averaged 23.88 in the ODI World Cup, 23.80 in the Test series against India, 29.80 for Punjab Kings in the IPL 2024 and 27.50 in the T20WC. As a result, he was dropped from the England Test set-up.
When former England Test captain Michael Vaughan asked him how eager he is to make a comeback to England’s Test team, Bairstow said: "Well, you don't need to ask me that, do you? I think you know me well enough, and you've known me for long enough to know that all I want to do is play for England, and that's end of."
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