Chris Evans: Radio host forced to apologise to 'angry guest' – 'Wasn't gonna go there'

Jonny was a guest on Monday’s show with Chris introducing him as “England’s saviour”. A 64-run defeat to Australia at Lord’s in the group stage of the Cricket World Cup had put England on the ropes and needing to win both their last two games to progress to the semi-final stage. Jonny had said after the game: “People were waiting for us to fail. They are not willing us on to win, in many ways they are waiting for you to get that loss, so they can jump on your throat. It’s a typical English thing to do, in every sport.”

Former England captain Michael Vaughan lashed out at Yorkshire man Jonny, who opens the batting for England in ODIs and is wicketkeeper in Tests: “How wrong can Jonny Bairstow be. Never has an England team had so much support but it’s you and your team that has disappointed Jonny.

“Win two games and you are in the semis. With this negative, pathetic mindset I am concerned though. It’s not the media’s fault you have lost three games!!!”

Jonny responded by hitting 111 and 106 runs against India and New Zealand to set up a Thursday semi-final showdown with the Aussies at Edgbaston.

Ironically, Michael never recorded an ODI century in his career.

READ MORE: Dan Walker: BBC Breakfast star takes savage swipe at Chris and Piers

Chris asked Jonny who also plays for IPL side SunRisers Hyderabad: “How do you feel whenever we mention 10:30 Thursday morning, how do you feel?”

Jonny responded by telling the former Top Gear host: “I don’t know, you just made me think about it.”

Explaining his feelings to Chris and Vassos as the game approaches he said: “It’s only 8 o’clock in the morning on Monday, as you can probably tell by my voice, a heck of a load of excitement, you might only get a chance to play in a couple of these games.

“So I think overthinking things and going into it with too many nerves is dangerous because you can then take yourself over your peak performance lines and things. 

“I think with it you’ve got to be looking at it as an exciting game, you’ve got to be looking forward to relishing the challenge because we know that Australia are a very good side, they’ve got dangerous batsmen, bowlers and everything in between.”

Indeed, Australia posses Mitchell Starc, the most effective bowler in the tournament so far with 26 wickets, nine more than Jofra Archer (England), Jasprit Bumrah (India) and Lockie Ferguson (New Zealand), his closest competitors who are all still in the tournament.

Jonny insisted he was looking forward to the game, England’s first semi-final since 1992: “To be really honest with you, I’m just rearing to go, I just want to go out and play and enjoy myself, and hopefully do my family and friends proud.”

It was at this point Vassos interjected to ask: “Do we need to get you a bit angry, Johnny? Do we need to get Michael Vaughan in here?”

Laughing, Jonny admitted: “I was waiting for this.”

Chris was forced to apologise: “I wasn’t going to there, it’s that naughty Greek boy Vassos doing this to you.”

Jonny remarked as he prepared to leave the phone conversation: “Us gingers have got to stick together Chris, I’ll let you deal with him after.”

Chris Evans Virgin Radio Breakfast Show airs weekdays at 6.30am.

source: express.co.uk