But Bairstow’s rise as one of the best white-ball batsmen in the world coincided with a downturn in his returns in the longest form: since taking on the role of ODI opener in June 2017, Bairstow has averaged 27.98 in Test cricket from 32 matches, lost his place in the side and, most recently, his Test contract.

But the 31-year-old’s long-form hopes have been given a boost with his recall for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. Will a return to the scene of his last great red-ball knock kickstart a 70-Test-old career?

We track his journey in Test cricket over the last three years, going back to the start of 2017/18 Ashes, shortly after he sealed his place at the top of the ODI order with two centuries against West Indies.

Winter of 2017/18

5 Tests v Australia
2 Tests v New Zealand

469 runs @ 36.07

In a difficult winter for England – a 4-0 Ashes drubbing was followed by a 1-0 defeat to New Zealand that included a 58 all out – Joe Root was the only England player to hit more runs, while Bairstow was the only man to hit more than one century.  His 237-run partnership with Dawid Malan in the third Ashes Test at Perth was one of the few bright spots of a dire tour, while his 101 in Christchurch rescued England from 94-5 to 307 all out.

Summer of 2018

2 Tests v Pakistan
5 Tests v India

278 runs @ 23.16

Bairstow batted in four different positions across that summer, racking up a couple of half-centuries from his 12 innings. He enjoyed a bright start against India, hitting 98 vital runs in a 31-run win at Edgbaston before scoring a 93 at Lord’s, but then contributed just 39 runs in his next six innings. A finger injury at Trent Bridge meant he relinquished the gloves for the fourth Test at the Ageas Bowl, but he struggled as a specialist batsman. His weakness against the straight ball grew more apparent in this period, with half of his dismissals bowled.

Winter of 2018/19

1 Test v Sri Lanka
3 Tests v West Indies

235 runs @ 33.57

An ankle injury suffered while playing football ruled Bairstow out of the first Test against Sri Lanka and it proved to be a significant moment: Ben Foakes stepped up to take the gloves and reeled off a century on debut. Despite regaining his fitness, Bairstow was omitted for the second Test but found his way back for the third as a specialist batsman at No.3. A century followed in his new role, with an emotional celebration to boot, though the ambition remained to return to his favoured role behind the stumps. It didn’t take long for that to materialise: after two Test defeats against the West Indies, Bairstow dropped back down the order to take the gloves off Foakes in a consolation win in St Lucia.

Summer of 2019

1 Test v Ireland
5 Tests v Australia

214 runs @ 19.45

After playing a key role in England’s World Cup-winning campaign, Bairstow followed up a pair in the Lord’s Test against Ireland with scores of 8 and 6 in the Ashes opener at Edgbaston. Still, it wasn’t all doom and gloom for Bairstow in the series against Australia; a half-century and unbeaten 30 followed at Lord’s, while his 68-ball 36 was significant in shifting the momentum of the Headingley Test back England’s way after Root’s dismissal early on day four.

Winter of 2019/20

1 Test v South Africa

10 runs @ 5

After a poor summer, Bairstow was axed for the two-match Test series against New Zealand, with Ed Smith proclaiming that this was an “opportunity for him to reset”. And it wasn’t long before he was back: Bairstow was recalled for the four Tests against South Africa and filled in unsuccessfully in the first Test for the ill Ollie Pope, recording scores of 1 and 9 in a 107-run defeat at Centurion. He was subsequently left out for the following tour of Sri Lanka, one that would be quickly aborted as the pandemic took hold.