Bairstow thrilled to inspire England with classy century
JONNY Bairstow’s magnificent century and a ferocious knock of 99 from Ben Stokes saw England level the series with a thrilling chase in the second one-day international against India.
Facing a stiff target of 337, England’s fearless top order tore chunks out of it to take the series to a Sunday decider. The tourists smashed 20 sixes between them and left 39 balls unused as they made India’s earlier efforts look like child’s play.
Bairstow’s 124 was the centrepiece, his 11th ODI hundred a magnificent combination of clean hitting confidence, while Stokes fell one short of his own century after a furious blitz that saw him clear the ropes on 10 occasions.
Batting in Joe Root’s usual slot at No.3, he soared from 50 to 99 in just 11 deliveries before a flick off the glove denied him a breathtaking ton. England indulged a late wobble, with Stokes, Bairstow and Jos Buttler falling in a handful of deliveries, but the frenzied scoring that the top three left behind meant the hard work was already done.
It was testament to England’s bench strength that the finishing touches were applied by debutant Liam Livingstone and Dawid Malan, both in as late injury replacements for Eoin Morgan and Sam Billings.
Bairstow, named man of the match, said: “It was disappointing to miss out on a century in the last game, but I’m delighted to get across the line in this one. It was exactly the same in the last game, when I thought we were excellent and ahead of the runrate by a long way.
“It was exactly the same game plan, to put them under pressure, the pitch was good. We saw Ben play some rather entertaining shots down the ground, and it was just a case of getting him onto strike at the other end.”
Bairstow feels his relationship with Roy at the top of the order is “natural”.
He said: “I faced about eight balls in the first eight overs, while Jason went all guns blazing at the other end. Last time it was me who got off to a bit of a quicker start. The relationship is great, long may that continue.”