'Edgbaston is electric - we know what we've got to do'
Wednesday 3 August 2016 11:56, UK
Jonny Bairstow plays golf with a Formula One legend, reflects on a fine second Test win at Emirates Old Trafford and looks forward to a reunion with the 'rowdy' Edgbaston crowd…
After our fantastic win at Old Trafford, it has been good to get away from cricket for a bit, and I've done just that - playing a bit of golf with Formula One legend, Nigel Mansell.
I managed to spend a couple of days at the British par-three Championship, also playing with Alan McInally, and Dean Saunders - thankfully they didn't give me any stick about England's struggles in the football at Euro 2016!
Nigel loves his cricket, and is delighted with the way the England team are going at the moment. He sends his best to all of the boys.
I do watch the F1 every now and again, and although I've never actually been, it's definitely something that I want to tick off my list in the future.
I didn't play very well to be honest, but that's the nature of par threes, they can be a bit hit and miss. I did at least manage to post one of my better shots on Instagram.
I, like a few of the squad, will have an eye on the US PGA Championship, as well as the start of the Kia Women's Super League - I'm obviously hoping the Yorkshire Diamonds win the title.
It's a brilliant new initiative for the game; exciting times for everyone involved and I'm sure it will be a huge success.
Moving on to England, everyone in the squad knows we've also got to knuckle down and concentrate on the job at hand next week in the third Test at Edgbaston.
The last thing we can do is take our foot off the gas. You've got to enjoy your wins, and there were some very special performances at Old Trafford, but we must make sure we replicate it this week.
Rooty's knock of 254 speaks for itself. He even snuck in there at the end with a wicket! He set the game up with Cooky, who put in a true captain's knock, setting the tone right from the off.
Everyone has their opinion on Cooky's follow-on decision, but it turned out to be spot on. People are going to talk, no matter what you do. I just think; would you rather bat on day three on a good pitch, or day five on a surface that has been worn for another two days?
We gave some soft wickets away to Yasir Shah at Lord's, but we executed our skills a lot better this time. Pakistan have only got a four-man attack, which is a bit more demanding on the body, so we wanted to get their bowlers into their latter spells, which we managed to do.
As for our attack, Chris Woakes continues to have a massive impact. He is bowling exceptionally well, and batting really well. Even though he did nudge me down the order a spot as night-watchman, I didn't mind.
Jimmy Anderson again proved he is a world-class bowler, and Moeen Ali answered his critics. People have jumped on his back when the conditions are not necessarily favourable to him.
Mo is bowling well at the moment, and people just need to get behind him, give him the confidence to do well like he has done for England over the last couple of years.
It's obviously a big blow to lose Ben Stokes for the next Test. Everyone is desperately disappointed for him after working so hard to get back after his knee operation.
To then go and hurt his calf is not great for him, and not great for English cricket, though I have no doubt that whoever comes in for him out of Jake Ball and Steve Finn will do a fantastic job for us come day one.
I can't wait to get back to Edgbaston. The atmosphere is electric there; possibly the rowdiest ground in the country.
It's always great fun listening to what the fans have got to say, what chants they've got lined up for the guys.
We go there with some fond memories of the win over Australia there last year. It was 1-1 going into that game and we ended up winning the series.
We've pulled this series back to 1-1 as well, and have to now look at it now like it's a two-game series to win. We know what we've got to do.
Jonny has teamed up with @FitMG, a management service providing opportunities for professional athletes.
