Monday 11 July 2016 17:43, UK
Former England wicketkeeper Paul Nixon believes that Jonny Bairstow can become "one of the best wicketkeeper-batsmen England have ever had."
The Yorkshireman was one of the standout performers for Alastair Cook's side in the Test series win over Sri Lanka, scoring two centuries and averaging 129 with the bat. However, his work behind the stumps came in for some criticism.
Bairstow will keep the gloves for the first Test against Pakistan at Lord's on Thursday, live on Sky Sports 2, and Nixon is confident the 26-year-old can make the improvements needed to make the position his own.
"Jonny's inexperienced as a 'keeper, he's still learning his trade and it's very tough because everybody's expectations are so high," he told Sky Sports.
"He's done really very well at times and probably dropped balls that he would like to have caught at times, that's learning. Whatever trade you are in, it takes time to learn and we have to respect that."
Indeed, Nixon argues that his glove work could go the same way as his batting, provided he can iron out a few issues that have hampered him previously.
"His batting has been world class," he added. "Once we saw him under pressure a couple of years ago against South Africa at Lord's and he got that brilliant 95, we knew he had the spirit, the conviction, the technique and the temperament to do well. So if he's done that in his batting then he can do it with his 'keeping.
"I think there are a couple of areas that he needs to work on, hopefully England will have identified those. For me, I'd like to see him move those feet a little bit more, get up a little bit earlier and just be expecting the outside edge a bit more.
"Hopefully they'll be addressing that and, for me, he can be one of the best wicketkeeper-batsmen England have ever had."
It has been suggested that having the gloves, and therefore more than just one area in which he can contribute, has helped Bairstow's batting by allowing him to play with more freedom. Nixon, though, points to another significant benefit.
"What it helps with when you're 'keeping and you're batting is that, if you keep first, it helps your batting because you know the pace of the pitch, you're used to your eyes tracking going in straight lines all the time, you're involved and you're in the game," he explained.
"Then if you bat first, that helps your 'keeping because again you've got the pace of the pitch, you know the heights to come up, the timing of your postures and your foot movements et cetera."
There is one suggestion that the former Kent and Leicestershire wicketkeeper is quick to dismiss.
"I've heard a few people talking about 'keeping half a game or whatever and I think that is ridiculous personally," said Nixon.
"I'm not a fan of that because when you keep wicket you need to get warm, keep loose and get ready and for a match, you normally have a good warm up.
"You're ready, you're sweating, you're dripping and ready for that for that first ball to take a full-stretch diving catch if you have to.
"Now, if you're in the field, you're catching in different areas of your hand to when you've got gloves on, when you're wearing gloves you catch in a different area. It's very, very different - a normal catching position to a wicketkeeping position - the area that you're taking a catch."
Jos Buttler is the man challenging Bairstow for the gloves in Tests and Nixon feels the Lancashire man has "just shaded" Bairstow as a wicketkeeper.
But when it comes to the best out-and-out gloveman in England, Nixon insists that it is a 36-year-old who continues to set the standard.
"For me, James Foster was the best 'keeper and still is the best 'keeper by a mile," he said.
"Obviously age isn't on his side but he's still fit and well and winning games for Essex. I think he can still do a job, that's my opinion but they're going to look forward.
"There is an opportunity for somebody to stand up and be counted but possession is nine-tenths and it is now up to Jonny and how much he works and how much he pushes on, that's crucial."
Paul Nixon was speaking at a PCA England Masters event at Bramhall Cricket Club to help raise money for the 1000 Hearts for Harry charity.
