Top 5 current wicket-keeper batsmen in Test cricket

#2 Jonny Bairstow (England)

Bairstow has had a summer to remember in 2016, wherein he has scored two centuries and 4 fifties

The relationship between England and wicketkeepers has been a murky one, to be honest. Alec Stewart was the last recognised keeper that England had, who played a considerable amount of matches doing well with the bat, as well as, behind the stumps. Matt Prior seemed to be his successor for a period of seven years or so, but his dwindling form with the bat post the Ashes debacle of 2013-14 in Australia meant that England were forced to move on.

In their new quest, they stumbled upon a gritty right-handed batsman who had the ability to adjust his game according to the conditions and the match situations. What they have tried to do since then, is convert him from a batsman who can keep, to a proper wicketkeeper-batsman.

While it cannot be said that they have been largely successful in their pursuit, the testimony to which was Bairstow’s rather ordinary performance behind the wickets during the Test series against Sri Lanka, his extraordinary form with the bat has overshadowed his perceived failures with the gloves.

1957 runs from 31 Tests at an average of 41.67 with 3 centuries and 10 fifties – 7 of which have come in 2016 – qualify him as a top-notch middle-order batsman, given his relatively young age of 26 and a career that is only expected to flourish from here. Knocks of 140, 167*, 58, 83, 55 and 81 this summer have made it a season to remember for Bairstow and one would expect him to carry the form to India, which is expected to be England’s next big Test assignment.