Jonny Bairstow is eager to return to England's Test cricket team after being left out of the squad for the ongoing series against the West Indies. The 34-year-old, who has been a regular fixture in the team since Brendon McCullum became head coach in May 2022, was not selected for the current three-Test series, where England leads 2-0, with the final match set to begin on Friday.
Surrey's Jamie Smith has been preferred as the wicketkeeper this summer, but Bairstow remains determined to play for England again. In a conversation with former England Test captain Michael Vaughan on BBC Two, Bairstow expressed his unwavering desire to return to the Test side, emphasising that playing for England has always been his goal.
Bairstow has been a significant figure in England's cricket team, making 100 Test appearances and serving as the wicketkeeper during last year's Ashes series against Australia. Recently, he participated in the T20 World Cup, where England reached the semi-finals in the Caribbean and the United States. He made his first appearance in four weeks during Welsh Fire's eight-wicket win over Manchester Originals in The Hundred.
Despite his exclusion from the Test squad, Bairstow remains committed to earning his place back in the team under the leadership of Ben Stokes and McCullum. He also acknowledged the personal toll of being away from home due to his cricketing commitments, noting that his recent break allowed him valuable time with his family after spending seven months on the road.
Bairstow reflected on the sacrifices required by a professional cricketing career, particularly the limited time at home, but he remains focused on his ambition to contribute to England's cricketing success.