Jonny Bairstow backed to have 'big future' for England by Mark Boucher

24 January 2016 12:53

Mark Boucher has urged England to keep the faith with wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow after being invited to help the Yorkshireman through his recent struggles.

Where glovework is concerned Boucher's credentials are unimpeachable, with 532 catches and 23 stumpings making the South African the most prolific keeper in Test history.

Bairstow has been in the runs against the Proteas but is enduring a turbulent time in his first full series behind the stumps, missing important chances in all four Tests.

In the current match he played a part in reprieving all three South African centurions, and his exasperated expressions are beginning to be mirrored back at him by team-mates.

After seeing Boucher's on-air analysis of his keeping, Bairstow requested a meeting and the 39-year-old was happy to oblige a fellow member of the wicketkeeper's union.

"He just wanted to have a chat with me, I think it was after I did a stint on TV explaining the mental aspects he might be going through and a couple of small technical things that could help him out," Boucher told Press Association Sport.

"For a youngster to speak to a guy who's been in the opposition side was fantastic to see and I used to do the same with people like (former Australia wicketkeeper) Ian Healy. He's very keen to learn about his trade.

"It was a very relaxed chat. I just wanted to find out where his head was at and basically told him I'd been through some of the same sorts of things, that he's not the only one who's gone through it and he's not alone.

"There is some room for improvement there. He's not a natural keeper but he's proved he has the good with the bat and there is more than enough talent there for him to become a very, very good all-rounder for England."

Bairstow has seen his judgement and footwork questioned since replacing Jos Buttler at the end of the Pakistan series, but Boucher is confident those flaws can be ironed out.

For that to happen he believes Bairstow must adopt a more resilient mindset and England must not lose their nerve.

"I think there's a big future for him at this level but he has to be as mentally tough as possible in the face of criticism," said Boucher.

"I don't think he needs big technical changes, they are all pretty small. It's more the mental aspect of getting over one or two dropped catches as quick as he can and not letting them affect the next one.

"The step up to Test keeping is quite big and he needs to close that gap but his attitude is good enough for him to do it.

"Is he worth having in this England side? Absolutely. You don't want to mess around with his head and drop him now.

"That's a dangerous move to make because it risks showing a lack of confidence in a youngster's game."

Source: PA