In Chittagong the England wicketkeeper produced one of his best-ever shows with the gloves in extremely trying conditions. This, while breaking a major batting record

George Dobell26-Oct-2016Amid the drama of the tight finish, and the praise for Ben Stokes’ all-round performance, Jonny Bairstow’s achievements in Chittagong perhaps didn’t gain the plaudits they deserved.Not only did Bairstow produce arguably the most polished display of keeping in his Test career to date, but he set a new record for the most runs in a calendar year by a Test wicketkeeper.While it is true that modern schedules provide more games, and, therefore, greater opportunity to set such records, Bairstow surpassed the mark set by Andy Flower (1,045 runs in 16 innings, set in 2000) in his 18th innings. The previous highest aggregate of runs in a calendar year by an England wicketkeeper was 777 by Matt Prior in 2012. With a maximum of six more Tests to play this year, Bairstow now has Michael Vaughan’s record of the most Test runs in a calendar year (1,481 in 26 innings in 2002) by an England batsman within his sight. With 1,091, he is already the highest run-scorer in Test cricket this year, and the only man to reach 1,000.But, we have come to expect high standards of his batting. We have become accustomed to him rescuing England from poor starts, and accustomed to him scoring quickly. Only Joe Root, of the top 10 Test run-scorers this year, has scored at a faster rate than Bairstow’s 61.08 runs per 100 balls.It is his keeping that has remained the debating point.It was excellent in Chittagong. Excellent standing up to the spinners, anyway. While there were a couple of fumbles against the seamers – and one drop down the leg side – in the brutally hot and humid conditions, he put in a performance of which any keeper would be proud. Dealing with the unpredictable spin and bounce of the wicket expertly, he rated it “probably” his best Test yet with the gloves.You do not have to search far to see the source of the improvement. While England’s net session in Dhaka was winding down, with various team-mates playing football or heading for the shade, Bairstow opted for another half-hour of practise. With Steve Rhodes firing the balls at him, Bairstow continued to grow accustomed, not just to the movements required of a keeper in these conditions, but to concentrating in the heat and humidity. He confesses that, left to his own devices, he would prefer not to wear a helmet when keeping, but accepts the ECB’s insistence that he must.”It really is just a case of working hard,” he said. “I know how quickly things can change. I know how hard I have to work to keep improving.”It went well in Chittagong, but there might be two chances I put down in the next game. The challenge is heightened in the subcontinent, with the amount it can turn and how close we stand behind the stumps.Bairstow credited the time spent away from the team for helping him come back stronger•AFP”You’re in the game every single ball. Some balls turn and some balls skid on. If you’re not 100% on it and enjoying it, it’s going to get tougher and tougher.”Success tastes all the sweeter for Bairstow as he has endured plenty of tough times along the way. Being dropped after the 2013-14 Ashes clearly hurt greatly, and he admits the desire to prove his critics wrong has been a strong motivational force.”You go back, maybe two years, and there are people writing you off to never play Test cricket again,” he said. “There were a few mumbles floating around that I wasn’t good enough.”I was out of the side for about 18 months, and I’m delighted with how I’ve come back. I worked hard at Yorkshire during those months. It was kind of a good thing I went away. I learned about my keeping, worked on my batting, and I’ve come back stronger for that.”It is good to come back and prove a few people wrong with the way that I’ve been playing. It’s a pretty amazing feeling.”Having had that period out of international cricket, Bairstow is understandably keen to play every game he can. So, while he understands the talk of rest and rotation, he certainly won’t be volunteering for a break.”I want to play every game I can,” he said. “Having missed out for 18 months after the Ashes, gone away, worked on my game and earned my place back, I want to play as many games as you can for England in every single format going. It’s only natural. If I’m rested, so be it, but I’m pleased with the way I’m catching the ball and batting.”He is not complaining at the relative lack of attention given to his performance in Chittagong, either. Knowing that, all too often, keepers only attract comments when they struggle, he is wise enough to interpret the lack of coverage of his performance as a compliment.”If I’m going unnoticed and keeping well, that’s the best way forward me,” he said. “But I was very pleased to get some positive comments.”I hadn’t really thought about the record, but I’m absolutely delighted to now hold it. It’s great to be talked about in such great company.”These are early days in England’s toughest of tours. But it has been a quietly impressive start from Bairstow.