Defiant Bairstow powers England to opening win over South Africa
Jonny Bairstow once again showed how dangerous he can be with a point to prove, turning a demotion in the batting order into a magnificent, match- winning turn in England's first Twenty20 in South Africa.
Moved down from his preferred opening slot to number four - behind Jos Buttler, Jason Roy and Dawid Malan - the Yorkshireman batted with power and precision to make a career- best 86 not out in a fivewicket victory in Cape Town.
Chasing a target of 180 the tourists stumbled to 34 for t hree as debutant George Linde took two wickets before Bairstow led a fine comeback, joining Ben Stokes in a stand of 85 then seeing things through to the end in a 48- ball knock containing nine fours and four sixes.
Many of Bairstow's best performances have come when his pride has been wounded by dips in form or questions over his place and this was a prime example of his ability to thrive when he is most fired up.
He ended the match in the spotlight, where he belonged, needing seven off the last over and responding by powering Lungi Ngidi's first two balls for four then six. The game had already been settled by then, pivoting in the 17th over when a wayward Beuran Hendricks was taken for 28.
Man of the match Bairstow told Sky Sports: "Obviously it's really pleasing. To start the series with some runs is always pleasing. To get over
the line and go 1- 0 up when we only got together 10 or 12 days ago, it's a happy camp.
"Whether opening the batting or batting at six you learn to craft your innings in different ways. That has stood me in good stead for batting at four.
"We're flexible over the order and for tunate enough that people can come in and play different innings.
"I was happy with how I played in the IPL, although I was disappointed not to finish
the competition in the team. I've been fortunate to play in different conditions.
"We know the pitch here can be slow, the next pitch could be a cracker. You have to adapt to the conditions."
England captain Eoin Morgan felt there was still plenty to improve on.
"It's extremely pleasing, it's a very good win but we were pretty average apart from two or three guys," he said. "Jonny has had an unbelievable day
out. I thought South Africa were above par, then we were three down.
"Jonny and ( Ben) Stokes set it up nicely, and to win when you're not at your best is pleasing. With the ball we were a bit too full, then with the bat we were not building partnerships. You can't do that chasing a score like that.
"It's certainly not doom and gloom. It's the beginning of a tour and we'll improve over the next few games. Wheth
er we get the results, I don't know, but we need to be doing the right things. At least when you win, you can sit back and be a little bit pleased."
South Africa captain Quint on de Kock said: "We did think we had a good total. But unfortunately it didn't come off tonight.
"I don't think it was necessarily that one ( Hendricks) over. Jonny batted really well - he changed his game plan to the pitch and conditions."