Jonny Bairstow wins first-ever Bob Willis Trophy for England Player of the Year

Jonny Bairstow averages 75.66 in Tests in 2022 [PC: Twitter] 

England wicketkeeper Jonathan Bairstow was awarded the first-ever Bob Willis Trophy for England Player of the Year. Bairstow was rewarded for his magnificent performances in Test cricket.

​The 32-year-old managed to amass 681 runs in six Tests at an average of 75.66 during England's unbeaten summer at home, winning all their matches. The explosive middle-order batter smashed four centuries, which saw him register the second-fastest ton for the Three Lions in the Test against New Zealand.

Overall, in 10 Tests in 2022, the Yorkshire-born has accumulated 1,061 runs with six tons and one fifty. 

According to the Mirror, Bairstow compared England's latest summer to 2005, which inspired the current group of players. 

"It's one of those summers that we will remember as a group and as a cricketing nation. I hope we as a group of people have inspired the next generation. 

"Even people who have flicked on the cricket, I hope we've entertained them. I look at the shift that we've had in the way that we've gone about it."

However, Bairstow has been ruled out from the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022 owning to a freak leg injury.

Also Read: Moeen Ali retires from Test cricket for the second time