On 21 July 2023, Jonny Bairstow played an explosive knock of 99* runs off just 81 balls as England scored 592 runs in their first innings of the ongoing fourth Test in Ashes 2023. He smashed 10 fours and four sixes. After the knock, he opened up about his journey of recovering from a career-threatening injury last year and took a dig at all the critics.
While speaking to Sky Sports' Ian Ward, he said: "You just don't know how bad it's going to be. It could have ended my career. I've got nine pins, and a wire that goes through my ankle, and I've had nine months out. I'm still only 10 months post-operation right now. So when you speak to the surgeon and he says 'I'm surprised you're walking and running, never mind playing professional sport', I'm delighted to be where I'm at.”
“I've played a lot of cricket now and to be keep being told that you're rubbish.” - Jonny Bairstow
"There's times when there's aches and pains and people are saying you're limping, well, yeah, I am at times, because there's a lot going on in the ankle, and other bits that people won't understand. It's been a rollercoaster. There's been a lot that's happened in those nine months. And to come out and take the field again, with a group of boys that I care a heck of a lot about, is a special place for me to be," he further added.
"Everyone thinks that I play better when people go at me, it gets a bit tiresome to be honest with you. I've played a lot of cricket now and to be keep being told that you're rubbish. Well, if I was that was that rubbish. I wouldn't have played 94 games … I've been happy
"There's been a couple of interesting dismissals during the series … but it's only a couple games ago that I got 70-odd, so it is what it is. That's part and parcel of the way that I want to play my cricket. I want to go out and enjoy it. I want to go out and entertain. People will have comments on the way that I bat, they always have done. That'll carry on, but you can leave them to their comments, and I'll just keep on doing what I'll do in the middle," Jonny Bairstow said.
Here is how fans have reacted:
Rahane has also played 83 tests.. he's a "specialist batsman".. you atleast keep wickets
— Anand Vihar (@viharanand08) July 22, 2023
I never knew that he played 90+ test matches 😭, thought like a 50!
— Believe (@ilostmydollar11) July 22, 2023
Honestly saying he is very good test batsman
— Helmet (@Eqbal_171805) July 22, 2023
Bohot zyada khel gaya ye tou
— 🤏 ICT Fan (@tiredictfan) July 22, 2023
No one knows he played 94 tests till now😭😭😂
— Sai Santhosh (@im__sai18) July 22, 2023
That's an eye opener. That he's played 94 Tests. And only 95 ODIs
— Ashish N.V.R (@Ashish_NVR) July 22, 2023
37 avg is Rubbish indeed
— ẞ (@PackedBishh) July 22, 2023
Alex Stewart better than Johnny Bairstov
— Dhaanush (@SuperSportsmass) July 22, 2023
94 😵
— MJGooner📢 (@ImMayurJindal) July 22, 2023