Belligerent Bairstow takes England to lead

Jonny Bairstow says England’s new desire to play test cricket “different to the norm” gave him the confidence to launch his brutal assault on New Zealand’s bowlers and wrestle back the momentum on the second and third day of the third Test at Headingley.

England were in trouble at 55 for six in reply to New Zealand’s first innings score of 329 before Bairstow and debutant pace bowler Jamie Overton put on a seventh-wicket stand of 241 runs in 274 balls. This helped England reach 360, taking a 31-run lead.

Bairstow scored 162 off 157 deliveries, before holing out to Trent Boult at long-off of Michael Bracewell’s bowling. Overton was unlucky as he was out on 97, and Stuart Broad blasted 42 off just 36 deliveries to push England forward.

For Bairstow, it was his second century in as many innings and the 10th of his test career. He says the new culture of positive cricket in the team has been the catalyst for his superb form.

“I am excited about the journey we are embarking on as a team,” Bairstow told Sky Sports. “For Jamie to come in and play the way he did on his debut and under pressure, to have the confidence against a very good New Zealand attack, was quite exceptional.

“We want to play test cricket in a way that is perhaps different to the norm. But it is also a case of putting pressure back on (opponents). If you just sit there, in England you know there is a ball there waiting for you (to get you out). Don’t just be a sitting duck.

“Sometimes it’s a simple game that we complicate. We want to allow people to express themselves and that will bring the best out of them.”

Bairstow says the backing he has been given by new head coach Brendon McCullum to play his natural attacking game, no matter the match situation, has made him more relaxed at the crease.

“I am pleased with where my game’s at. The way I’m striking the ball,” he said. “Sometimes there is a lot of rubbish spoken about different things. Sometimes it gets into your mind and clutters it. You have to listen to the people that matter to you and that’s what I’m doing.

“Brendan just said to me, ‘Go and impose yourself on the game’. It is an exciting way of playing.”