Ashes 2023 | 'Jonny Bairstow Needs to Train With...': Adam Gilchrist's Stern Remarks

Gilchrist has criticised Bairstow's keeping [AP Photos]

After being sidelined for several months, Jonny Bairstow, England's wicket-keeper batter, made an emphatic comeback in the opening Test of the ongoing series against Australia at Edgbaston. 

With a scorching innings of 78 runs in the first innings and a valuable contribution of 20 runs in the second innings, Bairstow made his presence felt, despite England's narrow two-wicket defeat.

While Jonny Bairstow's batting performance was exceptional and he appeared to be in sublime form, his wicket-keeping came under scrutiny due to a few missed chances, including the big wicket of the Australian all-rounder Cameron Green. 

Providing his insight into the matter, Adam Gilchrist, the former Australian wicket-keeper, stated that England should remain calm despite Jonny Bairstow's poor wicket-keeping display in the opening test. 

Gilchrist also shared an interesting piece of advice to the England keeper, suggesting Bairstow to practise with a tennis ball as it helps in dealing with the bounce factor. 

Here’s what Adam Gilchrist said in an episode of the Telegraph’s Vaughany and Tuffers podcast:

“They don’t need to panic, and I suspect they won’t. Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes are not panic merchants and have a lot of belief in the group they’ve got. But Jonny has come off an injury and will be better for the run.”

“I personally would be doing a lot of work with a tennis ball. Hitting balls with a tennis racquet so it’s soft, and slow, start to get a bit of relaxation in your movement. Get the foundation right. Slower, soft, more supple movements, particularly over the stumps.” 

Bairstow missed the stumping of Cameron Green in the first inning, after which the Australia all-rounder went on to score 38 runs off 68 balls. 

“I say a tennis ball because if you have hard hands and are stiff and rigid, the tennis ball will bounce out. But if you can do a lot of those, get your rhythm up and some feel, I think Jonny would benefit from a lot of drills like that. He may well be doing that.” 

Don’t want to put the blowtorch on Jonny: Gilchrist

Bairstow’s selection over Ben Foakes for the ongoing Ashes series had sparked a lot of debate when it comes to wicket-keeping skills, especially after the former had been out of competitive cricketing action for more than seven months due to a broken leg sustained last year in August. But Gilchrist thinks Bairstow can come good in the coming matches.

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