Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes took the idea of a positive approach, multiplied it by a zillion and dipped it in chocolate.
England ’s power pair produced an utterly extraordinary afternoon of Test cricket to win both the match by five wickets and the series with a 2-0 lead with one to play. But they also redefined how the game can be played by chasing down a record total at the ground and doing as if this were the Indian Premier League.
A target of 299 from 72 overs on the final day at just over four runs per over was certainly do-able with a fair wind. But thanks to Bairstow’s hurricane innings of 136 from just 92 balls and Stokes’ 75 not out, the target was reached with more than 20 overs to spare.
