LONDON, March 25 - Out-of-favor England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow has echoed Liam Livingstone’s criticism of the national setup, accusing the England hierarchy of neglecting players outside its core group.
Livingstone recently said he was “left out in the cold” after being dropped last year. Bairstow, 36, who hasn’t played a Test since his 100th match two years ago, reinforced that sentiment: “You need the care back in the game. If you are in the system, you are in. As soon as you are out, you are out.”
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) recently reviewed its 4-1 Ashes defeat but retained head coach Brendon McCullum, captain Ben Stokes, and managing director Rob Key despite criticism over persisting with underperforming players like Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope.
Veteran voices including Geoffrey Boycott and Michael Vaughan have questioned the lack of accountability. Bairstow warned that comfort breeds complacency: “When someone questions you directly, you’re not used to it.”
Key has announced a “county insight group” to reconnect with domestic cricket. Bairstow remains skeptical: “Why did they disconnect in the first place? We’ll see if the proof is in the pudding.”