England's out-of-favour wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow has followed Liam Livingstone's footsteps by criticising the current regime. After Livingstone pointed out lack of communication over snub from the white-ball squads, Bairstow wants the current system to care for players even if they are not in the system.
"You need the care back in the game," Bairstow was quoted as saying by the BBC. "It is OK saying people care about things - no they don't. If you are in the system, you are in the system. As soon as you are out of the system, you are out of the system."
36-year-old Bairstow hasn't had a Test since 2024. He was pivotal to England's rise in the Bazball era where they achieved records with the bat. While he has been a regular in domestic cricket, even leading Yorkshire, Bairstow hasn't found a place back in the squad since. Ahead of the home summer, he doesn't himself getting back in Ben Stokes-led side and asks the questions posed at those in power if he scores a couple of centuries in the upcoming County Championship season.
"Judging by the last few years, I am not sure it is on their agenda. It will be an interesting question for you to pose to them if I do go out and score a couple of hundreds early season," the wicketkeeper-batter said.
ALSO READ: Sourav Ganguly's blunt take on IPL's controversial Impact Player rule
Currently, Jamie Smith is England's designated wicketkeeper-batter in Tests. While Smith has shown flashes of brilliance, his shot selection has been questioned by many, especially during the Ashes 2025-26 debacle on Australian soil where there was a need to stay longer at the crease.
Bairstow waiting for proof that new system works
As England prepare for changes after the Ashes drubbing, director Rob Key had talked about disconnection from county form to that of Tests. As a result, a new 'county insight group' has been formed which will give their inputs on selection, closely monitoring the county games and being in touch with county directors of cricket.
Bairstow sees it as an admission of the wrong being done of late. However, he is skeptical about whether it will lead to any changes.
"The question you would ask is why have they disconnected in the first place?" Bairstow said. "If you are trying to rebuild something, you are admitting you have done something wrong previously. It is good to know people are watching and nice to see there is some enthusiasm into the County Championship. We will see if the proof is in the pudding. I look forward to hearing a bit more about the review."
Bairstow in action early next month
Bairstow will be seen in action when Yorkshire go up against Glamorgan in their County Championship Division One 2026 opening game at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. It is yet to be seen whether Bairstow gets called up as one of the replacement players in the Indian Premier League (IPL).