‘Anyone that gets to 100 caps is a legend’ – Michael Vaughan reflects on Jonny Bairstow’s career ahead of milestone game

Michael Vaughan and Jonny Bairstow. (Photo Source: Twitter)

England international Jonny Bairstow is all set to play his 100th Test match of his career against India in Dharamshala, which is slated to begin on Thursday, March 07. The 34-year-old made his Test debut against West Indies in 2012 and has been in and out of the squad for multiple times in his career. However, courtesy of his destructive batting, the team management always backed the Bradford-born cricketer and in return, he has made 5,974 runs at an average of 36.42.

Reflecting on his career, former cricketer Michael Vaughan called Bairstow a legend of the game. He highlighted the times when the stumper-batter had to sit out, but he always showed resilience and determination to make it to the Test squad. Vaughan also mentioned that he didn’t feel Bairstow was even close to playing 100 Test matches, and added that there are not too many players who are better than Bairstow when he’s in rhythm.

Also Read – Playing 100 Tests means a hell of a lot: Jonny Bairstow

“The impact he has when he plays is immense. When you add to that – to keep wickets, moving up and down in the order, never had a set position in the order. So, that cannot be easy. Anyone who gets to the 100 caps is a legend. To play 100 matches in Test cricket is incredible. To do with the way he plays.. Changing the order on a regular basis, in and out of the side.. I mean I didn’t even realise that he was getting close to 100,” Vaughan said in the Vaughany & Tuffers Cricket Club podcast.

“He has had a career in which only a couple of times – you mentioned 2022 when he got six hundreds. It’s only a couple of times when he really dominated Test cricket. It was very short periods but to think now, he has fought through some adversities, huge amount of resilience. I don’t think there are many better players to watch when Jonny’s going,” he added.

Bairstow recently gave the credit to his mother, who stuck by his side during tough times. The cricketer also revealed that his mother survived cancer twice and has worked really hard to shape his career.

Also Read –  Jonny Bairstow dedicates 100th Test cap to his two-time cancer survivor mother