Jonny Bairstow indicated England were ready to dispense with cricket orthodoxy after his latest stunning century against New Zealand sparked a storybook rally in the third Test on Friday. England’s new leadership duo of captain Ben Stokes and red-ball coach Brendon McCullum, a former New Zealand captain, have urged their previously struggling side to play with freedom.
Their approach was vindicated as England, with just one win in 17 previous outings at this level, went 2-0 up in a three-match series against the World Test champions.
But England came crashing back down to earth in spectacular style as they slumped to 55-6 following New Zealand’s first-innings 329 at Headingley.
Even so Bairstow, fresh from a series-clinching century in Nottingham last week, followed up with a stunning 130 not out on his Yorkshire home ground. Together with Test debutant Jamie Overton, he shared a remarkable unbroken stand of 209 as England ended the second day on 264-6, just 65 runs behind.
“We (England) are still in the infancy of it, but what I will say is we are looking to take the game forward” he said.
“You can go into your shell and bat the way people have done for years and years and years — try to survive against bowlers like Trent Boult and Tim Southee when they’re bowling so well — but you need to transfer the momentum. You need to take them off their lengths.”
“Jamie played unbelievably. I guess it helps being 6ft 5in but blooming heck, that was some seriously special striking; unbelievable hitting,” he said.
