Bairstow answers critics with wonder-catch as England fight to keep Ashes alive
His instant reaction told the story, shooting a look at his right glove to double-check the ball really was nestling there.
For a split-second, Jonny Bairstow looked more surprised than anyone inside Old Trafford that the snick from Mitch Marsh’s destructive bat had landed - and stuck - in his gauntlet. And, let’s face it, everyone inside Old Trafford was gobsmacked.
At times during this opening day of the fourth Ashes Test, it looked as though Bairstow’s gloves were made of Yorkshire steel. He had not dropped any chances but had been making a lot of routine work look less than routine.
It was a wonder his fingers were intact by the time he took the wonder-catch that did for Marsh off the bowling of Chris Woakes. It will not be a dismissal that decides the Ashes but it could be one of THE decisive moments in this particular contest.
If Marsh had hung around for another hour or so, he could have pummelled England on to the ropes. The Australian all-rounder had plundered a six and seven fours in a 60-ball 51, having quickly found his range against a Dad’s Army attack that soldiered diligently on an unresponsive track, but without great joy.
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But then back into the attack came Woakes, removing Cameron Green - who missed a straight one - and then Marsh, thanks to that stupendous grab from Bairstow. It was instinctive brilliance from an England player who has been under immense pressure and, up to that point, had been far from convincing behind the stumps.
But the reaction of his team-mates to the Marsh catch not only showed how important they considered the scalp to be, but how they knew of its personal significance to Bairstow. It might be a considerable stretch to suggest the one-handed take could be the catalyst for an upturn in Bairstow’s form with the bat but it will do his self-belief no harm at all.
And England are going to need plenty of self-belief if they are to force the victory they need to keep their hopes of Ashes triumph alive. After the dismissal of Marsh, Mitchell Starc and Alex Carey put on 39 for the eighth wicket but at least their momentum had slowed.
That England managed to keep fighting their way back into a first-day contest that threatened to get away from them on several occasions was a testament to their application, especially as Jimmy Anderson’s summer struggle continued. The only visible indication that the James Anderson End is, indeed, the James Anderson End is a relatively small plaque that looks like Year Five homework.
Presumably, when he retires, Anderson’s name will feature more prominently on his home ground. Presumably, that moment is not too far away.
James Anderson went wicketless on day one, having been recalled by England at his home ground (OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)Obviously, that is not a big call - the bowler with 688 Test wickets to his name turns 41 on Sunday week. In any sport that demands high-end physical exertion, elite-level participation does not often extend to forty-somethings.
That Anderson is playing Test cricket at his age is remarkable in itself. The caveat is that he has hardly been helped by the surfaces this summer but this has looked like one series too many for the all-time great.
But you never know, Jimmy, in adversity can come a moment of magic. Just ask Jonny.
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