England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow targets bigger tally after breaking record
Wednesday 26 October 2016 15:44, UK
Jonny Bairstow admitted breaking the record for the most Test runs by a wicketkeeper in a calendar year was a "special feeling" but revealed he is keen to add more to his tally.
The Yorkshireman moved past the haul of 1,045 runs amassed by Zimbabwe's Andy Flower in 2000 over the weekend during England's first-Test win over Bangladesh in Chittagong.
It was his 11th Test of the year and with six more matches to come before Christmas, including the final Test against Bangladesh, live on Sky Sports from Friday, followed by a five-match series against India, the 27-year-old has the opportunity to set a formidable runs total.
"It's a special feeling, something I hadn't really thought about at all but obviously towards the end of the summer people started talking about it," Bairstow told Sky Sports News HQ.
"I'm absolutely delighted to now hold the record. But there's a lot of games still to come in the calendar year so hopefully I can push on and score a few more runs and can take a few more catches."
Former skipper Michael Vaughan holds the record for the most runs by an Englishman in a calendar year with 1,481 in 2002 but Bairstow is only 390 behind and could overhaul the 2005 Ashes-winning captain.
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"I'm not sure about that but I'll go out and try and score as many as I can and if you get close, you get close," he added. "It's great to be talked about in such great company."
There have been suggestions pace bowler Stuart Broad will sit out what would have been his 100th Test against Bangladesh, while left-arm spinner Zafar Ansari may come into the side.
Surrey's Ansari took 4-68 in the second practice game last week and boosts England's options with the bat significantly, having registered three first-class hundreds.
"Zafar's obviously a quality bowler and he bowled very well in the warm-up," added Bairstow.
"It just shows the strength in depth we have in the squad and we know with six Test matches still to come before Christmas we are going to be tested in all different departments.
"Zafar's opened the batting for Surrey before. Wherever he comes in to the order, and with the left-arm orthodox he bowls, it's exciting for us."
Watch the second Test between Bangladesh and England, with coverage starting on Sky Sports 2 HD from 4:30am on Friday.
