England v New Zealand: Jonny Bairstow's astonishing century seals series win

2 years ago 21
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Second LV= Insurance Test, Trent Bridge (day five)
New Zealand 553 (Mitchell 190, Blundell 106) & 284 (Mitchell 62*, Broad 3-70)
England 539 (Root 176, Pope 145) & 299-5 (Bairstow 136, Stokes 75*)
England won by five wickets, lead three-match series 2-0
Scorecard

Jonny Bairstow's astonishing century led England to a stunning win in the second Test against New Zealand which sealed a series victory.

On a breathless final day at Trent Bridge, Bairstow made the second-fastest century by an England batter in Test cricket as the hosts strolled to what should have been a challenging target of 299 from 72 overs.

Bairstow's outrageous hitting took him to three figures from 77 balls, only just missing the England record of 76 balls that has stood for 120 years.

He was eventually out for 136 from 92 balls, having clubbed 14 fours and seven sixes in front of a delirious full house.

It was left to captain Ben Stokes, who ended 75 not out, to complete the win with 22 overs to spare. England had scored at almost a run a ball.

It sealed a remarkable turnaround from New Zealand posting 553 after being asked to bat. It is the highest score England have conceded in a Test they have gone on to win since 1894.

England take an unassailable 2-0 lead, vindicating the freewheeling approach of new captain Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum.

The home side can complete a clean sweep in the third and final Test at Headingley next week.

Gilbert Jessop76 balls v Australia, The Oval 1902
Jonny Bairstow77 balls v New Zealand, Trent Bridge 2022
Ben Stokes85 balls v New Zealand, Lord's 2015
Ian Botham86 balls v Australia, Old Trafford & Headingley 1981
Kevin Pietersen88 balls v West Indies, Port of Spain 2009
Ian Botham99 balls v New Zealand, Trent Bridge 1983

Electric England delight packed Trent Bridge

The 17,000 people who grabbed the free tickets on offer knew England had a chance of pulling off a special win, but no-one could have predicted the way New Zealand would be steamrollered in quite such spectacular fashion.

From 224-7 overnight, leading by 238, the Black Caps edged to 284 all out, leaving England the stiff task of scoring at more than four an over.

The home side had the benefit of a flat pitch and New Zealand being without injured fast bowler Kyle Jamieson. Even then, the run-chase was truly remarkable.

England had been adamant about their intent to pursue any target, and this was an awesome demonstration of what they can be capable of under Stokes and McCullum.

It resulted in victory in one of the most entertaining matches of all time. The 224 fours and 24 sixes is a new record for the most boundaries hit in a single Test.

At the centre of it all was Bairstow, who played one of the great innings by an England batter.

Though he could not be there at the end, he was given a huge hug by Stokes, then left to a spine-tingling standing ovation.

More to follow.

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