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'He Likes To Wear His...' - Root's Latest Remark On Bairstow Ahead Of 100th Test Appearance

Jonny Bairstow & Joe Root in action for England  (X.Com)Jonny Bairstow & Joe Root in action for England  (X.Com)

Former England captain Joe Root is in all praise for wicketkeeper batter Jonny Bairstow ahead of his 100th Test appearance in Dharmasala, slated to run from March 7.  Bairstow, who was initially looked at as a white-ball specialist, made his presence felt in the longest format after making his debut in the longest format in 2012. 

Incidentally, he had to wait for one year to make his Test debut after showcasing his prowess in the limited-overs.  His former Test captain Root has seen his growth during his formative years from close quarters.

“He likes to wear his emotions on his sleeve which I think makes him what he is. It brings the best out of him. A good example of that was at the end of one of the seasons at Yorkshire when he had just broken into the first team,” Root was quoted as saying on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast.

Former Yorkshire County Cricket Club president Sir Geoffrey Boycott also played an instrumental role in shaping Bairstow's career. 

As per Root, Boycott brought the best out of Bairstow by criticising the opportunities he missed to convert his starts into centuries. And the plan worked wonders for the Yorkshire wicketkeeper batter.

Bairstow will become the 17th English player to feature in his 100th Test when he takes on the field in Dharamsala. 

The right-handed batter has amassed 5974 runs in the longest format at an average of 36.42 with the best score of an unbeaten 167. He has 12 centuries and 26 half-centuries in the longest format.