England star Jonny Bairstow has been a topic of discussion since his controversial dismissal in the second Ashes 2023 Test, where he was stumped by Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey. Bairstow’s wicketkeeping skills have also come under scrutiny, with multiple dropped chances throughout the series proving costly for the home side. Furthermore, his batting form has been subpar, averaging only 27.20 in five innings across the first three Tests.
No wonder Bairstow faced severe backlash from fans after a disappointing shot led to his dismissal during the first hour on Day 2 of the ongoing 3rd Test in Headingley. After an impressive bowling performance on the opening day where England restricted Australia to a modest total of 263, the hosts ended the day at a precarious 68-3.
Former skipper Joe Root and Bairstow began Day 2 at the crease, but Root fell early to Pat Cummins’ delivery. In a critical situation, England relied on Bairstow to make a significant contribution. However, the 33-year-old managed just 12 runs before playing a poor shot off Mitchell Starc and getting dismissed.
Bairstow’s ill-timed drive at a wide fuller delivery outside off left England reeling at 87-5 and fans took to Twitter to express their disappointment with Bairstow’s performance. Many suggested that the veteran batter be replaced by the more reliable Ben Foakes behind the stumps.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Picking Bairstow as wicket kepper has cost us this series. He's not been good enough with the gloves and his batting has suffered, probably from his mistakes
— levy is a liar (@SpursLevyOut) July 7, 2023
Bairstow has cost England the Ashes.
Dropped catches.
Few runs.
Dopey run out.
Total hubris by Stokes and MacCullum to stick by a losing situation because… Bazball?
Bairstow was a gamble that hasn't paid off.
We can see it, why can't they?— Phillip Pope (@PhillipMPope) July 7, 2023
Bairstow keeps dropping catches and not scoring. Foakes will be brought in only after the Ashes are already lost though… 🤦🏼♂️🤡
— Bluedazzler 💙 (@bluedazzler101) July 7, 2023
Bairstow looks mentally and physically unfit but will carry on no doubt because he's one of the golf lads !!
— Ronnie Omlette (@omlettes_ronnie) July 7, 2023
Jonny Bairstow has scored 136 runs from 5 innings. I wonder how many he has cost us? Must be in deficit by a good 200+? #Ashes2023 #Ashes #engvaus #bbccricket #tms @bbctms pic.twitter.com/c3F2213bbX
— Nick The Unit (@nick_unit) July 7, 2023
bairstow should have been in his crease then shouldn’t he https://t.co/hfl8n4tqOn
— Finn Reynolds (@FinnReynolds7) July 7, 2023
Convinced even if Bairstow had not got out the way he did in the 2nd test match, England would have still lost
— Chet (@chet_ag) July 7, 2023
@GeoffLemonSport
Hi GeoffThe quickest way to drop Bairstow would be for Bairstow to be made a selector.
I'm here all week.
— BassGod (@GrauniadBassGod) July 7, 2023
How could Starc get Bairstow out for 12, it’s against the spirit of the game, everyone knows you can’t get out 37th ball! #ashes #Ashes #Ashes23
— Hudson Magerstein (@HMagerstein) July 7, 2023
"Bairstow plays at a wide Starc delivery and edges to slip" is a pretty bloody annoying sentence to read today.
I get that he was the in form batsman before he got injured, but Foakes was the in form wicket keeper-batsman when he got dumped.
— Grumpy (@TheMrGrumpy) July 7, 2023
Apart from last summer Jonny Bairstow has an ordinary test batting average of 37 … Ben Foakes test average is 32 … Just 5 runs less .. Given the errors behind the stumps that Jonny has made ( which have cost far more than 5 runs ) its probably time for Foakes to return #Ashes
— Chox (@goldwynbird) July 7, 2023
Bairstow has been a shadow of his former self this series, if he isn't delivering with bat or gloves get him dropped asap
— Was 🤘🏻 (@WayneSimbo) July 7, 2023
England absolutely bottled it again… So many basic errors and if am honest Bairstow has been terrible this ashes series #Ashes2023 #ENGvAUS
— Oddjobbobajobbob (@Oddjobbobajobb1) July 7, 2023
Notably, Bairstow’s glovework came under scrutiny during the first innings as he granted reprieves to in-form Australian batters Steve Smith and Travis Head. The missed chances prompted former English skipper Michael Vaughan to voice his concerns and suggest the hosts reconsider their selection of Bairstow as the team’s wicketkeeper.
During an interview with Cricbuzz, Vaughan stated, “I don’t think they’ll tinker, they’ll continue with Jonny (Bairstow). It’s cost England. I was absolutely behind his wicketkeeping before this series, but sometimes you have to accept that there’s maybe a better option out there.”
