Jonny Bairstow has criticized the England cricket setup, saying the team needs to “bring the care back into the game.” He feels players are supported while in the system, but once they’re out, they are left on their own.
Bairstow, 36, was a key player under captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum in 2022, scoring four hundreds in his first four Tests. However, after a serious leg injury and a series of Ashes defeats, he was dropped in 2024 and hasn’t returned since his 100th Test against India.
He also highlighted problems with player management, pointing to injuries like Mark Wood’s, which he says happen because players aren’t properly prepared or supported. Bairstow said underperforming players were kept in the team too long, leading to complacency, and believes the environment doesn’t challenge players enough.
Bairstow’s comments come amid broader criticism of the England setup, including Liam Livingstone saying he was sidelined for “caring too much,” and England’s recent 4-1 Ashes defeat. Bairstow isn’t sure a recall is on the agenda but says strong early-season performances could make it a question for the selectors.
