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Geoffrey Boycott Calls for Jonny Bairstow’s Exclusion from England’s Playing XI for Fourth Ashes Test
Former England cricketer Geoffrey Boycott has expressed his concerns over Jonny Bairstow’s recent form and believes he should be excluded from England’s lineup for the upcoming fourth Ashes 2023 Test. Boycott suggests that Ben Foakes should replace Bairstow for the crucial match at Old Trafford.
Bairstow’s Struggles in the Series
Bairstow’s struggles in the ongoing series have been evident, especially in his fielding. With six dropped catches, including important ones from Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne at Headingley, Bairstow’s fielding mishaps have drawn criticism. Notably, he shares the highest number of dropped catches in the series with teammate Joe Root, while Australia’s wicketkeeper Alex Carey has only dropped two catches.
In addition to his fielding woes, Bairstow’s batting contributions have been inconsistent. Apart from a score of 78 in the first innings of the Edgbaston Test, his performances have been lackluster, with scores ranging from 5 to 20. These statistics, combined with his recent form, have led Boycott to advocate for his exclusion in favor of Ben Foakes.
Boycott’s Concerns
In his column for The Telegraph, Boycott expressed his concerns, stating, “England took a calculated gamble and it hasn’t paid off. In three Tests, Bairstow has dropped catches, missed a stumping, and struggled to score runs. It’s a sad situation, and even though Bairstow may seem positive and energetic, failing on the big stage under the spotlight can affect one’s confidence.”
Bairstow’s Past Performance and Overcrowded Batting Lineup
Boycott also highlighted Bairstow’s remarkable performance in the previous Test summer, where he averaged 75.66 with four centuries against New Zealand and India. However, Boycott noted that during that successful period, Bairstow did not have wicketkeeping responsibilities as Ben Foakes held the position. With the emergence of Harry Brook in the middle order, Boycott believes England’s batting lineup has become overcrowded, necessitating a change.
“Some people argue that a winning team should not be changed. However, based on my extensive experience at the highest level and my common sense, I believe that Jonny Bairstow is currently unfit… He isn’t performing at his full capacity, and his batting and wicketkeeping skills have declined. While he was selected based on his outstanding batting performances last summer, he is currently a shadow of his former self,” added Boycott.
