BAIR THRILLS
Jonny Bairstow’s blistering century from just 77 balls fires England to one of THE great Test wins against New Zealand
JONNY BAIRSTOW'S blistering, 77-ball century fired England to one of THE great Test wins against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.
The flame-haired Yorkshireman smashed a brutal 136 off just 92 balls to turn the game England's way in an outrageous passage after tea.
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Ben Stokes made a quickfire half-century of his own in support of Bairstow despite clearly being in pain with a knee injury as the hosts chased down a ridiculous 299 at Trent Bridge.
England have won the three-match series, leading 2-0 with one to play, after what Nasser Hussain described one of their "best-ever Test wins".
Bairstow marmalised the tourists' attack - missing Kyle Jamieson through injury - with 14 fours and SEVEN sixes in a sensational display of hitting.
It's his third century of 2022 as his stellar year continues.
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England had earlier been in trouble as Zak Crawley fell for a four-ball duck.
Alex Lees exploded out of the blocks, but could only watch on as Ollie Pope (18) and, crucially, Joe Root (three) fell in quick succession.
The opener himself was out for 44 with England 93-4, still needing more than 200 runs to win at a rate of over 4.5 per over.
But Bairstow and Stokes combined for a ludicrous partnership of 179, with the assault after the tea break utterly scintillating.
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A packed Trent Bridge, who all got in for free, cheered every ball - with most of those flying into the stands off Bairstow's bat.
The No5 missed out on the fastest century by an England batsman by a single delivery.
Gilbert Jessop still holds the record with a 76-ball on in 1902 - with England's Kiwi coach Brendon McCullum the world-record holder after smashing a 54-ball ton in his last-ever Test for New Zealand.
Bairstow eventually fell after being caught behind with the hosts 27 runs shy of victory.
He was given a fully-deserved standing ovation from the capacity crowd.
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England briefly slowed down after Bairstow's dismissal but ultimately breezed past their target of 299 with time to spare for the loss of just five wickets with Ben Foakes and Stokes at the crease.
The captain crunched a six and two fours to bring the curtain down on a thrilling win, and ended up 75 not out from 70 balls.
England smashed 160 runs in 16 overs - exactly ten runs per over - in the final session to complete the highest-ever fourth innings chase at Trent Bridge.
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It brought to an end an exhilarating match, with two scores of 500+ and a new record for most boundaries in a Test match.
Both sides will now prepare for the third and final Test of the series starting on June 23 at Headingley.
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