Jonny Bairstow hit a scintillating century and that too at their home ground as England put up a spirited fight. The batsman ran towards the stand where his mother was watching before stopping. The century meant a lot for Johnny, whose knock helped England recover from an uncertain 55/6 after being attacked by Kiwi bowlers. He got a lot of support from debutant Jamie Overton, who scored 97 runs. It was a pity that they had to lose by a century.
A video is now circulating which shows Bairstow comforting Overton as he was just three short of the magic figure.
“Keep your head high, Jamie. A sensational innings and a record-breaking partnership when we needed it most. Those three runs don’t change any of that,” England Cricket had tweeted.
Earlier, Overton had fallen well short of a century in his first international innings, but local hero Bairstow scored an unbeaten 162 on his 130 not out overnight.
The pair had come under dire pressure with the hosts at 55-6, but their England seventh-wicket record of 241 was the cornerstone of a total of 360 – a first-innings lead of 31.
Keep your head high, Jamie.
A sensational innings and a record breaking partnership when we needed it the most.
Those three runs don’t change any of that.
#ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/nzny37oj1s
— england cricket (@englandcricket) 25 June 2022
Overton, selected as a fast bowler in place of the injured James Anderson, was within a shot of scoring three points in his first international innings when he dismissed Trent Boult to Daryl Mitchell at first slip.
The 28-year-old, who resumed on 89, never had the flow he had on Friday and it was no surprise when Boult, who removed all but one of England’s top three with a stellar performance of the new ball. It was located on the outskirts of Overton. ,
The new leadership pair of England captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum urged the team to play freely after leading the side that won just one Test out of 17 earlier this series.
Get all the latest updates cricket news, cricket pictures, cricket videos And cricket score Here