If you're playing and scoring runs, you will be in the side: Jonny Bairstow

The performances of England’s top-order have been a concern for the side. Though opener Rory Burns scored 49 in the second Test, the script didn’t change for the side as the batting line-up struggled. That is when Jonny Bairstow and skipper Joe Root held the fort of the team. Making his comeback, Bairstow scored an impressive 57 which was his first half-century in almost two years now.

Bairstow had a lean patch with the bat recently and that had brought him under scrutiny. After a series of low scores, he had struggled to fix his spot in the side. He stated that he only focused on scoring runs when he got the opportunity. “You want to be playing, and if you’re playing and scoring runs you will be in the side,” he was quoted as saying by TOI.

I want to continue to score runs and be out there for longer periods of time: Jonny Bairstow

Along with his wicket-keeping role, Bairstow’s batting position has also been in talks. The white-ball specialist has had a tough time making it to the team in the past. In the Sri Lanka series earlier this year, he batted at number three. However, he had registered three ducks in four innings in the Ahmedabad Test that had meant that he had to again wait for an opportunity. Thus, Bairstow opened up about his batting position and also stated that his aim is to keep contributing to the team.

“I think it depends on how the balance of the side works. There are different balances and different looks we can go for. You have got to be mindful of that naturally. But first and foremost, I want to remain in the mindset I’m in, remain with the method and technique I’ve implemented, hopefully, continue to score runs and be out there for longer periods of time,” he added.

Bairstow looked in good touch in the second Test but couldn’t capitalize his scores as Siraj sent him back. The pacer implemented the ploy of bowling short balls which eventually broke Baistow’s resilience. The batter also stated about the pitch of Lord’s as he talked about his innings. “I’d have liked to have gone on, but it was one of those things. The pitch is slightly two-paced, a few flying through to the keeper and a few that were dying.”