'They were pretty tough mistakes' - Brendon McCullum backs Jonny Bairstow despite underwhelming glovework in Ashes opener

England's dashing wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow drew criticism after a woeful performance behind the stumps in the Ashes opener at Edgbaston. However, England coach Brendon McCullum has backed the under-fire cricketer for the upcoming matches of the series.

Jonny Bairstow hung onto a one-handed stunner to dismiss Marnus Labuschagne for a golden duck in the Australian first innings. Somehow, the burly wicket-keeper missed as many as three simpler chances in the next few sessions. The first of those was a regulation-stumping chance of Cameron Green, who went on to play a crucial innings for the Aussies.

He also dropped his opposite number Alex Carey twice during the latter's decisive knock in the Australian first innings. The outcome of the match might have swayed in favour of the home side had Bairstow clung on to those chances. But the England coach sympathised with Bairstow, remembering his own stint as a wicket-keeper for the Kiwis in tough English conditions.

"They were pretty tough mistakes. I've kept over here before, it's not the easiest place to keep. I actually thought Jonny kept really well right throughout. If you look at the way he progressed throughout the game, he found a natural rhythm. We know what he offers with the bat, him coming in at seven is a real weapon for us," McCullum said after the first Test. 

McCullum confident of Moeen Ali's recovery before the Lord's Test

Senior all-rounder Moeen Ali's finger injury is a major cause of concern for the Three Lions as they don't have a readymade replacement in the squad. However, McCullum is hopeful of Moeen's recovery by the time England square off against Australia for the second Test at Lord's next week. 

"He [Moeen] did a fabulous job. He's loving being back playing Test cricket... credit to Stokesy and all the boys for making the environment one that you want to be a part of. Hopefully he'll come right for the next one. I'm pretty confident that over the next few days we can get on top of Mo's finger and that'll give us an opportunity to select him in the next game," he added.