‘That’s toughest ton of my career’

JONNY BAIRSTOW could not conceal his emotion after making a superlative century in adversity at the SCG that could have saved his Test career. Bairstow, who has struggled in red-ball cricket since England took the wicketkeeping gloves from him, reached his first Test ton in three years in the last over of a day that also saw him confront abusive fans in the crowd. Then he talked about how much his unbeaten 103 meant to him when he is fighting for his Test future after failing to cement a place in the middle order. ‘That was my hardest one so far under the circumstances,’ said Bairstow of his seventh Test hundred and second in Australia. ‘I put the graft in and the partnership with Ben Stokes was a big one. It was tough out there and I was really delighted with it.’ Bairstow, a key member of England’s all-conquering white-ball side, insisted he had never given up on Test cricket even though he was fortunate to earn a place on this tour — and only came into the side at the expense of Ollie Pope for the third Test. ‘I didn’t think this would never happen again because of the hard work I’ve kept putting in,’ said Bairstow, 32. ‘I felt I had the ability to do it. This is why you keep on playing, keep pushing, keep turning up every game and putting your best foot forward. You all know how much this means to me.’ Bairstow was struck a nasty blow on the right thumb by Pat Cummins on 60 but insisted on carrying on after treatment. ‘It takes quite a bit to get me off the park,’ he said. ‘It was sore but I took the decision to stay out there. The medics can give you advice but you’re playing in the Ashes.’