Bairstow Set for 100th Test at Dharmshala Despite Struggles; Robinson Backed After Ranchi Woes

Jonny Bairstow will earn his 100th Test cap for England next week at Dharmshala despite enduring a lean run in the ongoing series against India, head coach Brendon McCullum confirmed.

Bairstow, who has managed just 212 runs across eight innings in the five-match contest, will become the 17th England player to reach the coveted milestone when the teams clash in Dharamshala starting March 7.

“It’ll be a really emotional time for him,” McCullum said, acknowledging Bairstow’s past challenges. “He is quite an emotional character, and big milestones like that do mean a lot to him.”

The 34-year-old boasts an impressive Test career with 5,974 runs, including 12 centuries. McCullum believes Bairstow displayed promising signs during the Ranchi Test, hinting at a potential return to form.

“He walked taller, looked stronger, had that presence and that real Jonny Bairstow swagger to him,” McCullum observed. “When he has that, you kind of feel he’s never too far away.”

While Bairstow’s highest score in the series remains 38, his selection prioritizes experience over immediate form. Dan Lawrence, the designated backup batter, will miss out on the final Test.

Bairstow joins an elite group, with only 16 players in England’s Test history reaching the 100-cap mark. He will find himself alongside current teammates Jimmy Anderson, Joe Root, and Ben Stokes in this exclusive club.

McCullum Backing Robinson to Perform Well in Dharmshala Test

Meanwhile, Ollie Robinson, who impressed with a 58-run knock in England’s first innings at Ranchi, is being backed by McCullum despite a disappointing bowling performance in the same match.

Robinson went wicketless in his first international appearance since July, conceding 54 runs in 13 overs. However, McCullum remains confident in the young seamer’s potential.

“Everything he did leading into the Test match suggested we’d see not just the Ollie Robinson we’d seen previously but a better version of it,” McCullum explained.

While acknowledging Robinson’s frustration, McCullum emphasized the challenges of the game.

“He’s not just disappointed as everyone else, he’s the most disappointed out of everyone,” McCullum said. “It’s just sport, right? You have great expectations and sometimes you’re not quite able to deliver.”

A minor back issue hampered Robinson’s bowling, according to McCullum. The focus now lies on supporting him to rediscover his best form.

“We’ve just got to make sure we find a way to get the best outof him,” McCullum concluded.