ENG vs NZ: Jonny Bairstow slams second-fastest Test century by England batter

Jonny Bairstow anchored England’s run chase of 299 in style with an outstanding century on the final day of the ongoing Test match against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. However, what made the occasion even more special is the fact that this ton was a quick one that came off just 77 deliveries.

More importantly, Bairstow also became the second-fastest England player to score a Test century. He achieved this milestone courtesy of nine fours and five sixes. With this hundred, the Englishman now proudly owns the record of registering the fastest century in the fourth innings of a Test match. While his first 50 came off 50 balls, it took him just 27 deliveries to score the next 50 runs.

Jonny Bairstow missed out on slamming the fastest Test century for England by a whisker. The record is still held by the yesteryear English batter Gilbert Jessop who scored a 76-ball hundred against arch-rivals Australia way back in  1902.

England in a commanding position to win the Test series

Bairstow eventually fell after scoring 136 runs from just 92 deliveries and his innings included 14 fours and seven sixes at an outstanding strike rate of 147.8. He along with skipper Ben Stokes literally saved the hosts from falling apart after the hosts had lost their top-order and were reeling at 93/4 at one stage.

Bairstow and Stokes then resorted to a counter-attacking strategy that totally left the New Zealand bowlers shell-shocked as they were taken to the cleaners at regular intervals. While Stokes played a supporting knock holding on to one end firmly, Bairstow ensured that his risky yet impactful knock was good enough to bring the hosts within touch distance of a famous win.

This would indeed turn out to be a morale-boosting victory for the Three Lions as their last Test series win had come way back in January 2021 when they had blanked Sri Lanka 2-0. More importantly, the win would be a huge confidence builder ahead of England’s one-off Test match against India next month.