Bairstow thrilled by first ODI century

Jonny Bairstow is delighted he got over the final hurdle to three figures at Old Trafford – even if it had to be at the second time of asking this summer.

Bairstow completed an unbeaten maiden one-day international century, with just a minor stumble over his 100th run this time to ease England to a seven-wicket victory and 1-0 Royal London Series lead over West Indies last night.

Six weeks ago at Old Trafford, the Yorkshireman missed out by just a single on a fourth Test century when he was lbw sweeping at South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj.

As he controlled England’s run chase of an under-par 2049 against the Windies, he was therefore determined there would be no second successive near-miss 99. Just for a second, history threatened to repeat itself as he lost balance scampering a third run for his 97-ball hundred – but he regained his footing in time. “I missed out earlier on in the summer” he said, having got England home with more than 11 overs to spare after he and Joe Root (54) had shared a century second-wicket stand in a match shortened to 42 overs because of a wet outfield.

“I was just thinking about not messing up again on 99.

“When I slipped coming back for the third, I thought ‘Oh no, not again!’

“But luckily enough, it was slippy enough on the boundary for him to slip too.”

He added; “I’m ( just) really pleased. I’m delighted to have scored my first one-day hundred for England. There aren’t many people who’ve done it – and to join that elusive club is something.”