In one of the finest batting performances in the Test cricket history, Jonny Bairstow has reached the triple-figure mark in just 77 balls to help the England cricket team register a first series victory in 17 months in devastating style.
Bairstow smashed England’s second-fastest Test hundred
Bairstow smashed England’s second-fastest Test hundred in history. With this, Bairstow has surpassed the record of Ben Stokes, who had previously scored an 85-ball century against the same opponents at Lord’s in 2015. However, Jonny failed to top the list by just one ball to Gilbert Jessop, who had scored a 76-ball century in a clash against arch-rivals Australia in 1902 at the Oval.
Check out the complete list:
76 balls – G Jessop vs AUS in 1902
77 balls – J Bairstow vs NZ in 2022
85 balls – B Stokes vs NZ in 2015
86 balls – I Botham vs AUS in 1981
86 balls – I Botham vs AUS in 1981
88 balls – K Pietersen vs WI in 2009
Ben Stokes formed a brilliant partnership with Ben Stokes and together they added 102 runs in the first nine overs after the interval. Jonny was on 43 runs from 48 balls at the time of tea, with his team requiring a further 160 runs from 38 overs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 3-match contest.
Bairstow took charge of the game and smashed the NZ bowlers to all the corners of the ground. He finished with a score of 136 off only 92, scoring 14 fours and 7 sixes on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, social media has been buzzing with reactions to Jonny Bairstow’s knock. From cricketers to fans and experts, everyone took to Twitter to hail the brilliance of England batter.
Among many, former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag also took to his Twitter and hailed Bairstow for his achievement. In his Tweet, he praised Bairstown for playing an innings of a lifetime. He wrote:
“Jonny Bairstow, an innings of a lifetime, one of the best counter-attacking 4th innings you will ever see.Well done England , Test Cricket is Best Cricket. #ENGvNZ”
Check out the Tweet:
Jonny Bairstow, an innings of a lifetime, one of the best counter-attacking 4th innings you will ever see.Well done England , Test Cricket is Best Cricket. #ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/BV5dVzbIqk
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 14, 2022
