The bowling unit up front really set the tone: Jonny Bairstow

England banked on Jonny Bairstow’s blistering hundred to beat New Zealand by seven wickets in the series decider. As a result, England clinched six consecutive bilateral ODI series.

Meanwhile, with the ICC World Cup looming ahead, England will be the clear favourites of they can continue their form. England will play the next World Cup in their backyard which will be an added advantage.

Batting first, New Zealand posted 223 after a clinical bowling show from England. Chris Woakes and Adil Rashid returned with three wickets each. In reply, it was a cakewalk for the visitors with Bairstow smashing a six-ball 104. Ben Stokes and Joe Root also chipped in with useful contributions.

It was a huge game:

After losing the last encounter, it was a series decider with both the team standing at 2-2. Bairstow talked about how disappointed they felt losing the last game but were confident of putting a good show.

“We spoke many times about how it was 2-2, and this was a huge game,” Bairstow said after the match. “I think [it was great] the way the guys went out in a game that people had compared to a knockout in the World Cup next year and said ‘Right, this is how we’ll react‘.

“We were disappointed with how we did in the last game when we could have potentially won the series – because we got ourselves into a position [to do so]. That didn’t happen.. [and] wasn’t good enough for us. We know we needed to get better in certain areas and put in a clinical and ruthless performance here, and that’s exactly what we did,” he added.

Satisfied with my knock:

Bairstow struck the third fastest century by an English batsman as he scored it in just 58 balls. Further, he struck six massive sixes and nine fours. Meanwhile, he hit back-to-back hundreds to help his team win the series.

“I’m really happy,” Bairstow added. “It’s something that – after being in and out of the side for a couple of years, getting the odd game here and there – to come in and contribute in a role I’ve not necessarily done a huge amount previously for England, you’re still kind of learning. It’s really pleasing for me to go out and score hundreds – because that’s your job. I’m absolutely delighted to score the hundred off 58 balls,” he mentioned.

Credit goes to bowlers:

Bairstow was in the same line as his captain as he credited the bowlers for their success. England bowlers did a brilliant job to restrict the Kiwis to a modest total. Woakes got the man-of-the-series for his ten wickets in the series.

“The lads up front really set the tone,’ Bairstow said of Woakes and Mark Wood.

“If they don’t with the two new balls, it can all be against us, especially when you’ve got two guys at the top of the order who can be so destructive. The way the spinners bowled through the middle was really impressive,” he signed off.

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