English cricketer Jonny Bairstow on Friday (24th June) talked about his knock in the ongoing third Test against New Zealand in Leeds. He said that they want to play a brand of cricket which is different from normal.
After scoring a century in the second game, Bairstow continued his fine form and smashed yet another ton. While his previous hundred helped England chase the big total, his three-figure mark in Leeds helped his side rescue their innings after they lost wickets in clusters.
Bairstow came to bat when England saw themselves tumbling at 17/3 and then were reduced to 55/6. The right-hander played a counter-attacking innings and along with debutant Jamie Overton (89*) took New Zealand bowlers to the cleaners.
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Bairstow scored unbeaten 130 runs and helped his side end the day 2 on high with a total of 264 runs on the board. With the pace he’s scoring runs, the hosts will likely take a first-innings lead as they are trailing by just 65 runs.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Jonny Bairstow expressed his excitement about England’s new journey under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. He lauded debutant Overton for playing a quality knock under pressure against a good New Zealand attack.
"I am excited about the journey we are embarking on as a team. For Jamie to come in and play the way he did on his debut and under pressure, to have the confidence against a very good New Zealand attack, was quite exceptional,” Jonny Bairstow said.
Bairstow said that they want to play a brand of cricket which is different from the normal and they want to put pressure on the opposition.
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"We want to play test cricket in a way that is perhaps different to the norm. But it is also a case of putting pressure back on (opponents). If you just sit there, in England you know there is a ball there waiting for you (to get you out). Don’t just be a sitting duck,” he said.
Bairstow said that they want to allow players to express themselves and bring the best out of them. He talked about his own game, remarking that he’s pleased with how he’s striking the ball. He also revealed the conversation with the head coach and said that the approach he follows is exciting to play.
"Sometimes it's a simple game that we complicate. We want to allow people to express themselves and that will bring the best out of them. I am pleased with where my game’s at. The way I’m striking the ball. Sometimes there is a lot of rubbish spoken about different things.
“Sometimes it gets into your mind and clutters it. You have to listen to the people that matter to you and that’s what I'm doing. Brendan just said to me, ‘Go and impose yourself on the game’. It is an exciting way of playing,” he said.
(Sky Sports inputs)
