English batter Jonny Bairstow on Tuesday (14th June) opened up about his match-winning performance against New Zealand in the second Test at Trent Bridge. He said that skipper Ben Stokes told him to ‘smash it into the stands’.
England thumped New Zealand by 5 wickets in the second Test to take an unassailable lead of 2-0 in the three-match series. However, this lead wouldn’t have been possible without the efforts of Bairstow, who came out all guns blazing and switched to the white-ball mode in the longest format of the game.
Chasing the target of 299 runs, England was in a spot of bother after they lost three wickets for just 56 runs including that of in-form Joe Root and then after some time were reduced to 93/4. Coming to bat at No. 5, Bairstow played one of his best Test innings and made sure that his side ended on a winning note.
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The right-hander tonked stunning 136 off just 92 balls that included 14 fours and 7 sixes. The hosts needed 160 runs in the final session and not many expected them to finish the match early. Thanks to Bairstow’s heroics and Stokes' (75*) supportive role with him, they took just 16 overs in the last session to win the match.
Bairstow, who smashed the second-fastest century by an English batter in Tests, was also awarded Player of the Match for his heroics. This was also his 9th Test ton.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Jonny Bairstow revealed what he ate before coming out to bat. He said that skipper Stokes at the other end told him to smash the sixes and he enjoyed it. He added that it was a do-or-die situation for the side and he just watched the ball and tried to smash it.
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“Had a cheese-and-ham-toastie and cup of coffee. There's a good chance (of having it every time I walk out to bat). And then Ben said don't even think about hitting it down, try to hit it into the stands. It was great fun, one of those things when you get in that mood, just go with it.
“Do or die, so you've got to do. Not sure about 'picking the right ball'... strip it back, it's only you and the bowler there. Just watch the ball, that's the zone and you have to get in it,” Jonny Bairstow said.
Bairstow said that they saw it as a ODI game as the pitch was good and they took a positive approach to play aggressive cricket. He said that sky is the limit for them as they have battled various things and have suffered a lot of criticism for their performances in Tests.
"When there's been so many runs scored in the game, you don't look at it as a record run-chase, we saw it as a one-day game. Pitch good, outfield fast, positive approach, the brand of cricket, and the players who can play that brand of cricket. Let's see what's going to happen because it's going to be a journey.
“The pitch was good, that never-say-die attitude allowed people to go and flourish. Joe and Popey set up the way we capitalised at the end. This is No.1 for me, tricky not to be, a lot of chatter around England's Test cricket, some of it's been harsh, but we've battled through a few things. And if we can keep close as a group and go forward, the sky is the limit,” he said.
