‘Pride and passion’ still driving England’s world champions on

Twenty20 and Test cricket are set to take precedence over the next 12 months, but that won’t stop England’s 50-over team from staying at the top of their game

Thursday 25 March 2021 13:59 EDT
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England batsmen Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy
England batsmen Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy (AP)

England have come a long way in one-day cricket.

From the abject low of 2015, Eoin Morgan's side are now reigning world champions after the drama of the 2019 World Cup and also top the 50-over world rankings after dominant resurgence over the shorter format in recent years.

But with attentions set to switch to both Twenty20, ahead of the World Cup in the Autumn, and Tests, with a packed summer followed by an away Ashes series, the world's best could perhaps be tempted to take their eyes off the (white) ball.

Not Jonny Bairstow, however.

"I take a heck of a lot of pride in it and that's the reason we won the World Cup: the pride and the passion we put into it," he said ahead of the second one-day international with India on Friday.

"Just because there's the potential of playing less ODIs with a T20 World Cup coming up, I don't think that pride and the passion goes out of it. That's not going to change in the three years leading up to the next (50-over) World Cup.

"You're representing England in a very prestigious format and putting your name in the hat to be a part of that 15 that plays a World Cup in three years' time. It starts now."

Bairstow put his own marker down with a belligerent 94 in a losing cause in Tuesday's opening match of three against India in Pune.

Should the hosts turn that 1-0 advantage into a series whitewash then they'll leapfrog England in the rankings.

Despite captain Morgan’s absence, with the skipper set to sit out the remainder of the tour with a hand injury, Bairstow is determined to make sure that won't happen.

"I've not been privy to comments that have been made about the Ashes or the World Cup. That's the next thing around the corner, naturally there will be a little eye on those, but we come here trying to win every game. Everyone will have gone away after the last match and reflected, because it's not a nice feeling losing."

The Yorkshireman is one of many hoping to feature in all three formats for England over the coming year with a spell in the Indian Premier League with Sunrisers Hyderabad set to follow the conclusion of this white-ball tour.

He will then hope to be a part of England's red-ball plans after returning to the side over the winter.

Jonny Bairstow in action
Jonny Bairstow in action (ECB)

A return to form in Sri Lanka gave way to a poor run in India with three ducks in his final four innings of the series.

He remains keen to keep his place, however, with the troublesome spot of number three one he wants to make his own.

"I'm happy with where my game's at and the way I'm striking the ball so I do hope I get an opportunity batting at three going forward, because I do feel my game's in a good enough place," he added.

"Obviously people would have spoken about the last two Tests here but prior to that...I've been pretty happy. So hopefully I do get more than four games there.

"There wasn't anyone in those last two games who exactly lit it up was there? Let's be honest about it. A pink-ball Test match at a new venue where nobody scored any runs there and then in the last game there was an umpire's call decision that didn't necessarily go my way in the first innings.

"So yes, that is something I do want to pursue and hopefully I'll be given that opportunity."

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