Bairstow opens up on his struggles ahead of his 100th Test

As England’s wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow is approaching his 100th Test match on Tuesday, he expressed the monumental importance of reaching the milestone, especially after considering the hurdles he has overcome in his career.

The 34-year-old English batter is expected to join the honoured group of England cricketers as the 17th player to reach a hundred Test caps when he takes on the ground for the fifth and final Test versus India, starting on Thursday.

This forthcoming week is of immense value and carries an emotional touch as he reflects on the challenges in his upbringing and a career marked by misfortune which also includes an injury that risked his future in the game of cricket. 

"It means a hell of a lot. It will be an emotional week for me," Bairstow said before the final Test match against India. 

Bairstow was just 8 years old when his father David Bairstow, an ex-England keeper, died by suicide. His mother who battled and defeated breast cancer twice, kept the family together even after her tough illness.

Talking about the pitch for the fifth and final Test match, he appraised the groundsmen for doing an excellent job, not long after the venue’s outfield was criticised at the time of the ODI World Cup 2023. 

"The ground staff has done a brilliant job with the outfield considering the state it was in during the ODI World Cup.

"It looks like a good pitch and if you are alluding to the fast bowlers getting help from the surface, it will be favourable to both teams," Bairstow stated.

The Yorkshire-born dynamic batter has played his 100th ODI in Dharamsala and when asked about the ground, he said, "Cape Town is my favourite but don't think there is a more picturesque ground in the world than Dharamsala."

Team India have already clinched the series victory with an unbeatable 3-1 lead.