England’s wicket-keeper batsman Jonny Bairstow has hailed the addition of former South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis as team’s batting consultant for the Sri Lanka series.
The 31-year-old, who is making a comeback to Test cricket after losing his national contract in the longest format, called the legendary cricketer the best all-rounder world has ever seen.
Jonny Bairstow: Jacques Kallis Is A Fantastic Addition
Jacques Kallis scored 13,289 runs in 166 Tests at an average of over 55 besides taking 292 wickets with his pace bowling averaging 32.65 during his 19-year-old international career. He is second only to Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting when it comes to scoring most runs in Test cricket.
He has also scored 11579 runs and taken 273 wickets in 328 ODI matches. He is the only cricketer in the history of the game to score more than 10,000 runs and take over 250 wickets in both ODI and Test match cricket.
“I think it is a fantastic addition, someone of Jacques’ calibre,” Jonny Bairstow told reporters in a virtual chat from his hotel room in Hambantota.
“The things he has done within the game, in my eyes he is the best all-rounder that there has ever been. Someone that batted at the top of the order, caught absolute flies at slip and got so many wickets as well.”
Jonny Bairstow has scored 4030 runs from 70 Tests averaging below 35. His last Test came in December 2019 against South Africa. In the last few series against West Indies, Ireland, Australia and South Africa his average was below 25. He has 6 tons the last of which came against Sri Lanka in November 2018.
Jonny Bairstow: Intrigued To Spend Some Time With Jacques Kallis
31-year-old Jonny Bairstow believes he has a lot to learn from the South African great all-rounder who is currently in isolation in Sri Lanka and should join the squad on Friday.
“There are so many different aspects you could speak to him about. I am really intrigued to spend more time with him and gauge and understand the process,” Jonny Bairstow stated.
“Because to string all three bits together so successfully, over such a long period of time, is a skill in itself. It’s great to have Jacques around and I am really looking forward to spending some time with him and working with him.”
Joe Root’s England are already in Sri Lanka and gearing up for the 2-match Test series which will kick start from January 14 in Galle. The team will travel to India after the completion of the tour in the Island nation.