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England batter's 120-year first in crazy cricket feat: 'Never seen it'

Riley Morgan
·Sports Reporter
·5-min read
Cricket star Johnny Baistrow (pictured right) celebrates hitting a century and (pictured left) the New Zealand team looking frustrated.
Johnny Baistrow (pictured right) smashed 136 in 92 balls, reaching three figures off 77, in the fastest England cricket century since 1902. (Getty Images)

Jonny Bairstow has created history after scoring the fastest England Test century in 120 years in a record run chase of 299 in 50 overs on the fifth day against New Zealand.

In a remarkable Test match, England had been set 299 to win on Tuesday in a minimum of 63 overs.

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The record chase at Trent Bridge was roared on by a full house which had been admitted for free, with England getting the runs with 13 overs to spare.

And the biggest talking point was Bairstow's insane innings.

The Yorkshireman smashed 136 in 92 balls, reaching three figures off 77 balls - one more than Gilbert Jessop required in 1902 against Australia at The Oval.

England and New Zealand also put on an attractive Test match for fans.

The overall boundary count, 250, with 24 sixes, was the highest in Test history and the run-total of 1601 was the highest in a Test at Nottingham.

Cricket fans around the world reacted in utter disbelief at the scenes during the Trent Bridge Test match.

England chase down unthinkable fifth day total

The match involved the most boundaries ever in a Test match.

Captain Ben Stokes said England played the way new coach Brendon McCullum had instructed since recently taking over.

"It was set up for the way we want to play," said Stokes.

"Run into the danger rather than back away and stand still, and that is what we did today.

"We wanted to put as much pressure as possible on the New Zealand attack, and once Jonny gets his eye in there's no stopping him."

England batsman Jonny Bairstow (pictured middle) embraced by is teammates.
England batsman Jonny Bairstow (pictured middle) is congratulated by his teammates after a sensational innings on Day 5 against New Zealand at Trent Bridge. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) (Stu Forster via Getty Images)

"I don't think I've seen an onslaught in a Test match like it," said New Zealand skipper Tom Latham, standing in for Kane Williamson who was ruled out with COVID-19.

At 4-93 in mid-afternoon, with first innings centurions Ollie Pope (18) and Joe Root (3) both out cheaply, 299 seemed a stiff target.

Bairstow and skipper Ben Stokes then added 46 in 52 balls to take England to 4-139 at tea with 38 overs remaining and the run-rate 4.21.

After tea New Zealand decided to try and bounce Bairstow out despite the short leg-side boundary. The next 16 balls went for 42 runs, 29 to Bairstow.

Though New Zealand changed tactics it was too late. The first nine overs after tea went for 102.

Jonathan Bairstow (pictured) celebrates hitting a century during the fifth day of the Second Test match between England and New Zealand.
Jonathan Bairstow (pictured) celebrates hitting a century during the fifth day of the Second Test match between England and New Zealand. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) (Visionhaus via Getty Images)

When Bairstow was caught behind off the persevering Trent Boult (3-94) the pair had added 179 in 20.1 overs. Stokes (75 no off 70 balls), supported by Ben Foakes (12 no), then took England to victory despite a knee injury that could make him doubtful for the third Test, starting in Leeds on June 23.

Stokes, having won the toss, had put New Zealand in on Friday and saw them score 553. But England, scoring quickly, scored 539, then dismissed New Zealand for 284 about 45 minutes before lunch on the final day, setting up the run chase.

with AAP

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