England middle-order batsman Jonny Bairstow struck a good-looking 57 runs in the first innings of the second Test against India being played at Lord’s Cricket Ground. This was his first half-century in Test cricket in more than two-years.
The batsman made a comeback to the Test side in the first Test of the series and looked solid but could not convert the starts in both the innings. He however, stitched a 121-run partnership for the fourth-wicket with captain Joe Root (180*) to help England take a 27-run lead at Lord’s.
Jonny Bairstow said that he aims for a long-term spot in the Test team and is willing to play big knocks.
"You want to be playing, and if you're playing and scoring runs you will be in the side," Jonny Bairstow, who got his previous half century (52), also at Lord's in the 2019 Ashes, said after the end of day three's play.
Bairstow’s batting position has been uncertain in the Test team. He has batted at different positions. Bairstow relished batting at number 3 on the Sri Lanka tour, but registered three ducks in four innings in India earlier this year. He had to wait for his opportunity since then.
"I think it depends on how the balance of the side works. There are different balances and different looks we can go for. You have got to be mindful of that naturally
But first and foremost, I want to remain in the mindset I'm in, remain with the method and technique I've implemented, hopefully continue to score runs and be out there for longer periods of time," added the 31-year old batsman.
Bairstow was looking set for a big score but was unsettled with a barrage of bouncers by Mohammed Siraj. The batsman blamed the two-paced nature of the pitch for his dismissal.
"I'd have liked to have gone on, but it was one of those things. The pitch is slightly two-paced, a few flying through to the keeper and a few that were dying. When you're trying to duck and weave, it can get tricky. It caught the glove today," said Bairstow, who mis-timed his pull shot to be caught by Virat Kohli at slip.
"On another day it might have gone over the slip cordon, or you might get a bottom edge for one. But if they're going short, then that means you're doing something right with your defence,” he added.
Bairstow went on to praise Joe Root who stood like a rock against Indian bowlers. The two batsmen played the entire first session of day three. He said that he enjoys batting with his captain.
"Having batted with each other over many years, you get a gauge of each other's temperament. You bounce off one another, and we enjoyed every single moment.
It's been about having fun, enjoying the challenge, playing with a smile. We've scored nearly 400 today, and you can see the way in which we're going about it, smiling and laughing, keeping that relaxed but focused attitude,” he said.
When asked what Root means to the England team, he said: "A heck of a lot, like he does to English cricket. To go into second place among leading run-scorers in the history of English game is very special, to pass 9,000 Test runs is extremely special, to score another 180 not out at Lord's... I've run out of superlatives, to be honest."
He was also delighted to see people turning up in huge numbers at Lord’s to watch them play.
"To have a full crowd, with our family and friends here, was really special. The Lord's buzz was definitely back," he signed off.
(PTI inputs)
