Stokes saved me as I feared I’d blow it in the 90s again!
ENDING A LONG WAIT
A Hundred in one-day international cricket is something i’ve wanted for a long time. To do it against West indies at Old Trafford in a winning cause, when there was a bit of pressure on me, was hugely satisfying. i missed out on a century in Test cricket there against South Africa so when i slipped coming back for the third run to reach three figures i thought, ‘Oh no, i’m going to be out on 99 again’. But luckily it was slippery enough on the boundary for the fielder to lose his footing too. it was a fantastic feeling and i was delighted my sister Becky was there. There were some images of her on the big screen with her head in her hands when i was out for 99 so hopefully there are a few more upbeat ones now!
ENJOYING THE MOMENT
Six long years have passed since i made my one- day debut at Cardiff and a lot of things have happened since then so i was really pleased, as you could tell. i couldn’t tell you what i did when i got to three figures. A celebration is not something you plan. All i was thinking about was not messing up on 99 again. it is my first one- day hundred for england and not many have done that. it is like joining a distinguished club. Just like when you make your Test debut, you want to score a hundred. it is something you strive to do and if you cannot celebrate passionately and enjoy moments like that you’re in the wrong game.
STOKES IN A HURRY
Ben Stokes was in the middle when i made my first Test century in Cape Town and it was special to have him up the other end again. This time i was worried he was going to take us to victory before i had the chance to get there! When he hit a six i thought, ‘here we go’, because he looked in the mood to finish things quickly. But he said, ‘Don’t worry, i’m backing up to get you back on strike’. i missed out on a couple of chances on 97 before i finally got one through the infield. i knew Stokesey had his skates on so it was a case of keeping on running.
A COOL CATCH
Opening the batting in 50-over cricket is, to me, like facing the second new ball in Test cricket. it is a brilliant place to bat and i like to think my game is adaptable enough to open or be in the middle order. i want to build on my relationship with Alex hales at the top of the order now. And the fact i batted at six in the Twenty20 hopefully means the captain and coach are backing me in both positions. it was nice to graze in the outfield too even though the ground was heavy so i felt pretty stiff yesterday. i was having a bit of fun on the boundary with a group of supporters dressed up as the Jamaican bobsleigh team from
Cool Runnings, as you do. it was nice to turn to them when i took that catch.
TAKING MY CHANCE
Have i cemented my one- day place now? The honest answer is i don’t know. i’m not someone who has ever looked too far ahead because of how quickly things can change. i just hope i’ll keep taking my opportunities. i don’t think you can be guaranteed a run of games. That’s not professional sport. Yes, everyone wants to have enough games to establish themselves but on different pitches or in different circumstances different people will play. And if it is a tough decision for the coach and captain then that’s out of my pay grade!
STARTING AGAIN
We start again. We will be on a completely different pitch at a different ground at Trent Bridge today. We expect West indies to come at us strong like they did at headingley after we beat them in the first Test so we have to be prepared for that. We want to end this summer with a flourish now.