Enthused Jonny Bairstow not interested in rests as England begin new era against New Zealand
- Planet Sport writer
- 30 May 2022
Jonny Bairstow revealed he is excited to be part of England’s “new journey” despite returning from the Indian Premier League just last week.
England begin their summer of international cricket against New Zealand on Thursday, with newly appointed head coach Brendon McCullum and skipper Ben Stokes at the helm for the first time.
Bairstow took part in the first training session under the new coach on Monday, just a week after returning from his Indian Premier League campaign with the Punjab Kings.
The Yorkshireman has endured a gruelling schedule which has seen him take part in the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, the Ashes tour in Australia, and England's recent tour of the West Indies.
Despite having few breaks, Bairstow is looking froward to his latest challenge with the England team. He said: "I don't want a rest. That hadn't even come into my mind. I've never been one for resting when there's opportunities to play for England.
"Playing Test cricket is something I want to do. People know my desire to play for England, to play Test cricket. Lord's is a fantastic place for us to be to start the new journey and it should be great fun.
"It's exciting to be back here, hopefully with a full crowd, and come Thursday it'll hopefully be fizzing."
Bairstow is also looking forward to working with England's new Test head coach, Brendon McCullum.
The former New Zealand skipper has never coached at first-class level before, but was considered to be transformative during his playing days.
"Baz is someone I've always wanted to work with. He's someone I've played against and grown up watching and was very intrigued by," he said.
"When I started my career, he was someone who was unbelievable at what he did. So I'll definitely be trying to pick his brains on a few bits but at the same time going out and playing my game and my way and adapting along the way, too.
"Everyone is really excited by it because his cricket was unique. He played an exciting brand of cricket that everyone wanted to watch and everyone within the stands was intrigued by what the outcome would be when he was in the middle."
