Jonny Bairstow fought tooth and nail to establish himself in England’s well-settled ODI setup. And it is safe to say that the opener is truly justifying the team-management’s decision to back him. On Saturday, he blew away New Zealand in the fifth ODI to set the tone for England’s series-winning chase.
The right-handed batsman scored 104 off just 60 balls to dismantle the hosts. He reached the three-digit mark off just 58 balls, thus compiling the third fastest ODI century by an England player. It was his second consecutive ton in the series after his 138 in the last game.
WHAT A PLAYER! ??
Jonny Bairstow brings up his fourth ODI ? in just 58 deliveries, but falls soon after.Follow #NZvENG LIVE ➡️ https://t.co/2Pnu6S7T6Z pic.twitter.com/l6X3vx26Vd
— ICC (@ICC) March 10, 2018
Bairstow spared no bowler as England all but sealed the game by the time the keeper-batsman was dismissed. The scoreboard was reading a daunting 155 for 1 off just 20.2 overs when Bairstow was dismissed in the unluckiest of manners. He was looking to attack Trent Boult but the bat swing landed on the stumps.
But by the time he got out, he had done enough to ensure England chase down the modest 224-run total with utmost ease. Bairstow’s knock was studded with 9 fours and 6 sixes.
Meanwhile, Twitter was quick to hail Bairstow after his monumental knock. Here are some of the reactions:
Love @jbairstow21 go on son 100* ??
— Andrew Flintoff (@flintoff11) March 7, 2018
Staggering ? for Jonny Bairstow from 58 balls: the second fifty brought up in 20!
His fourth in ODIs, each faster than the previous one. Freak. #NZvEng #AndThatsCrufts
— Vithushan Ehantharajah (@Vitu_E) March 10, 2018
In a world full of Jason Roys, be someone's Jonny Bairstow.
— Shubh Aggarwal (@shubh_chintak) March 10, 2018
The rise and rise of Jonny Bairstow as an ODI opener!!
Hasn't looked back since he opened against Pakistan in #CT017 . What a player,what a special knock today!! #NZvENG— Aashish Poudel ?? (@AsisPdl07) March 10, 2018
Fabulous century from Jonny Bairstow. None better when he is in full flight. Too good for this attack. #NZvEng
— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) March 10, 2018
Some knock this from Jonny Bairstow. Absolute joy to watch (unless you’re a Kiwi, obviously). Crazy that he was left out of the side so long, really – he’s been doing stuff like this for Yorkshire in white ball cricket for years. #NZvENG
— Matt Anniss (@sellbydave) March 10, 2018
https://twitter.com/nikhilkalra_/status/972310137649102848
Do the @BLACKCAPS have 6pm dinner reservations? #whatshappening
— Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) March 9, 2018