England's batter and wicketkeeper, Jonny Bairstow, stands on the verge of a significant milestone in his illustrious career.

As he prepares to grace the Himachal Cricket Association Stadium against India, Bairstow is poised to mark his 100th Test appearance, an achievement only attained by a select group of 17 English cricketers. With 5974 runs under his belt, including 12 centuries and 26 half-centuries, Bairstow boasts an average of 36.42. His imminent entry into the prestigious Centurion Club highlights his enduring contribution to English cricket.

Ahead of the fifth and final Test against India in Dharamsala starting Thursday, the 34-year-old attributes his impending milestone to his mother, a cancer survivor.

Through a challenging childhood and a career-threatening injury, her steadfast support has been Bairstow's bedrock, keeping the family united during tough times. The dedication to his mother stresses the profound influence of familial support in his cricketing journey.

"When I play, there are times I think about Dad. But I think more about how hard Mum worked to make sure we were OK after everything that happened. To keep us together as a family.

That

has been my driving force. My mum is the embodiment of strength. There was a determination there. She worked three jobs and had two kids that were under 10 at a difficult time. She was taking me to Leeds United (where he played youth football), to Headingley, all sorts of other places," Bairstow said as quoted by Times of India.

"It's paying all that back, making sure they are OK, creating a life for my own family as well. She had cancer twice. She's a bloody strong woman, to get through that twice, before you even consider anything else she's been through, and it shows the strength and determination of the woman," he added.