BAIRSTOW A BIG NOISE FOR ENGLAND
It was billed as a battle of the two fiercest protagonists in cricket, but, instead, Jonny Bairstow took centre stage with a maiden one-day hundred to finally establish himself as a fixture in England’s white-ball team.
Ben Stokes and Marlon Samuels were on their best behaviour at the start of a one-day series that almost did not get off the ground due to damage to the outfield by rain and a plethora of concerts.
And while there were no verbals when Stokes dismissed Samuels in West Indies’ below-par 204 for nine, Bairstow made a loud statement when he showed why he has been so desperate for an extended chance in the one-day side.
Even though he has become one of England’s best test players and had scored three half-centuries in his last five one-day games, Bairstow has been forced to wait to become something more than a perennial white-ball stand-in.
He replaced Jason Roy for the ill-fated Champions trophy semifinal against Pakistan in June, but his selection here at the top of the order had the feel of a more significant development.
Now, admittedly against a West Indies side who are as bad at 50-over cricket as they are superb at the 20-over game, Bairstow gave Roy notice of his intention to open alongside Alex Hales for the build-up to the next World Cup.
By the time England coasted to a seven-wicket win, Bairstow had reached exactly 100 not out after starring in a partnership of 125 with Joe Root, who added his 21st score of 50 or more in his last 38 one-day innings.
the opening game of this Royal London series had threatened to descend into farce with the reluctance of the umpires and, it seemed, the captains to play on a soggy outfield. Although common sense prevailed after a two-hour delay, the sense of shambles was exacerbated with the third ball of the match when Root dropped Chris Gayle before he had scored.
It looked to be a costly miss as Gayle, playing his first one-day international for West Indies since the 2015 World Cup, showed why he has become the ultimate white-ball batsman by smashing three big early sixes.
But the turning point of the game and perhaps the series came when Gayle had to move from his usual stately pace between the wickets to something approaching a jog as he ‘hurried’ to avoid being run out by Moeen Ali.
the burst of physical activity caused the ‘universe boss’ to tweak his hamstring and, denied a runner by ICC rules, he struggled for movement before falling for 37 to a brilliant running catch from Root.
Bairstow’s athleticism without the gloves gave Stokes his first wicket, but it was the second of his three that gave him the most pleasure as it saw old foe Samuels falling with the help of a review after gloving down the leg side.
Nothing was said between the two, who have a mutual dislike, as Samuels awaited the verdict of technology, but this was an odd contribution from the Jamaican that did little to benefit his side.
there was a lack of nous from the Windies about the way they stumbled towards the end of their 42 overs, with Adil Rashid the pick of the England attack.
their total was never likely to be enough and, once Bairstow joined forces with Root, victory was achieved with 11.1 overs to spare — a result that already sentences the tourists to a qualifying competition for a place at the 2019 World Cup.