Jonny Bairstow put on an unbeaten 209 for the eighth wicket with Jamie Overton
(Picture: Getty Images)Jonny Bairstow admitted his extraordinary century in the Third Test against Nere Zealand was all the more special because it came at his home ground, Headingley.
Bairstow scored his 10th Test hundred, his fourth this year and second in successive innings as England recovered from 55 for six to reach stumps just 65 behind New Zealand’s 329 with four wickets in hand. He was 130 not out, while Jamie Overton is 11 shy of a debut century from No8.
Bairstow’s celebration was typically lively when he reached a hundred at the home of Yorkshire, where his late father David was also a celebrated player.
“Everyone knows that this is my home and the history that comes with me playing here for a long time,” he said.
“So you always want to score runs here. I’ve been fortunate to have some really good times here but each Test that comes around you want to be the one that scoring the runs because it’s your home ground. You always want to score runs in your home ground. The Western terrace atmosphere was amazing and hopefully it’s just the start of what’s going to be a fantastic weekend to come.
“Every time you score a Test hundred it’s emotional. You know what I’m like, it means so much to me to play Test cricket for England and that’s the kind of guy I am. I wear my heart on my sleeve, sometimes it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
“I love representing this team, and I am really excited about the journey we are embarking on. We were 55 for six today, for Jamie to come in and play the way he did, on his debut under pressure, to have that confidence against a very good NZ attack was quite exceptional.”
Bairstow said England were determined to come at New Zealand after a brilliant new ball burst from Trent Boult left them reeling.
“There’s different ways of looking at it, you can either go into your shell and bat the way people have done for years and years and years – try to survive against bowlers like Trent Boult and Tim Southee when they’re bowling so well,” he said.
“But you need to transfer the momentum, take them off their lengths. They were hitting their straps, conditions were in their favour.
“We’re only a few games into it. We’re definitely looking at it in a different way, going out and expressing ourselves, taking the game forward and hopefully playing in ways that can change games.
“You need people to stand up and change games, that’s how you win games of cricket. Whether it’s a bowler taking five, six or seven-for or batters scoring hundreds. That’s what you need people to stand up with.”
