Twitter Reactions: Jonny Bairstow's 30-ball half-century helps England whitewash New Zealand

England script a famous 3-0 whitewash over New Zealand after winning by seven wickets in Leeds on June 27, Monday, chasing down 296 on Day 5. This is a statement start to England under the captaincy of all-rounder Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum, in what was their first series in their respective roles.

England began the day at 183 for the loss of two wickets, needing 113 to win with Ollie Pope and Joe Root on the crease. Pope after batting brilliantly on Day 4, added only one run on Day 5 before he was dismissed by Tim Southee on 82 with a ball that nipped back into him to knock off the off-stump. 

Bairstow sweeps up the chase with a blistering 30-ball fifty

After New Zealand started the day brightly, dismissing a well-settled Pope and breaking a 134-run stand, in came in-form batter, Jonny Bairstow, at number five. He had hit an entertaining 162 runs off157 balls in the first innings, which virtually brought England back into the game. And now in the second innings, he brought up fifty in just 30 balls. 

Joe Root, on the other hand, remained unbeaten on 86, adding another 31 to his overnight score and also taking his run-tally for the series to 396 with the two hundreds and one fifty, at a strike rate of 74.15. Bairstow finished unbeaten on 71 off 44 balls, hitting nine fours and three sixes, and took his run-tally for the series to 394 with two fifties and one hundred, and a staggering strike rate of 120.12.

England chased the target in only 54.2 overs with a run rate of 5.42, making it one of the quickest chases in Test cricket. New Zealand spinner Michael Bracewell had a forgettable match, as he bowled 15.2 overs with an economy of 7.10, conceding 109 runs and picking one wicket. Tim Southee was the pick of the Kiwi bowlers, finishing with figures of one wicket for 68 runs in 19 overs. His fast bowling partners, Neil Wagner and Trent Boult, both went wicketless, bowling 20 overs between them.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Jonny Bairstow again. Wow. In fine form.
What a test match for Jack Leach!#ENGvsNZ #attackattackattack #greattowatch

— Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa) June 27, 2022

Time will tell how Englands brand of cricket travels; but its such a pleasing a start for Rob Key, Ben Stokes and Baz McCulllum.

— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) June 27, 2022

England redefining how TEST cricket is played. Attractive and enjoyable . Great to watch . #BazBall

It’s going to be a superb test match between India and England ❤️

— DK (@DineshKarthik) June 27, 2022

Jonny B is batting on a different planet … !!

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 27, 2022

Here is the updated points table in ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 after England's 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand.#WTC2023 pic.twitter.com/dMyVWj5nRA

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) June 27, 2022

New Zealand's three-Test series in Williamson era

Lost 0-3 in India 2016
Lost 0-1 vs SA at home 2017
Beat Pak 2-1 in UAE 2018
Lost 0-3 in Australia 2019/20
Lost 0-3 in England 2022#ENGvNZ

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) June 27, 2022

Before this Test, dividing JBairstow's Test career into quartiles gives him successive averages of:
33.68
46.06
28.92
30.29

Yet he appears to be in the form of his life right now!

— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) June 27, 2022

The new England: lose a wicket, then take 17 off the next over…

— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) June 27, 2022

What a series it's been! #ENGvNZ

The ball is the pint and Matty Potts reaction is still my personal highlight 🏏🍺 https://t.co/WeXhpMfMHT

— ellen cross (@daysofellen) June 27, 2022

England becomes the first team to chase 250+ totals thrice in a Test series. #ENGvNZ

— Muhammad Arsalan (@iamarsalan_6) June 27, 2022

One of the most exciting test series in the recent times Eng definitely came out on top at the end of it but Kiwis had their moments too and they should be extremely proud the way they have played right through out the series #ENGvNZ

— Abhijeet Mukherejee (@AbhijeetMukhere) June 27, 2022