Jonny Bairstow went all out to win England's final two Test matches in the three-match series against New Zealand. He produced quick hundreds in both matches, as well as a spectacular half-century in the final match's second innings. He finished the series with 394 runs at a 78.80 run average and a tremendous strike rate of 120.12.
The 32-year-old was also the one to hit the winning runs for England in the final Test match. England needed ten runs to win when Bairstow smashed a four and a six in the 55th over. He hit the final six against Michael Bracewell, who pitch the ball full. Bairstow swung the bat hard to hit the ball over the long-on region. A video of the winning six has gone viral over the internet.
Here is Jonny Bairstow's hit
A perfect end to the Test series, Bairstow seals with a six. pic.twitter.com/OJC7vNwg2i
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 27, 2022
Earlier, in the third test, New Zealand scored 329 runs, with Daryl Mitchell once again exceeding everyone. He scored 109 runs in 228 balls, bringing his series total to three centuries. Tom Blundell provided some assistance as well, scoring 55 runs in 122 balls. Jack Leech was at the top of his game, taking five wickets for England.
England then lost early wickets in the following innings, but Bairstow and Jamie Overton dragged the side back into the game with a 241-run seventh-wicket stand. Overton finished three runs short of his century, while Bairstow scored 162 runs. The two helped England score 360 runs and take a 31-run lead.
The Black Caps put up a few good partnerships in their second batting innings. To put the team in a strong position, Tom Latham (76), Kane Williamson (48), Daryl Mitchell (56), and Tom Blundell (88) all had excellent outings. New Zealand scored 326 runs in their second innings. Leech, on the other hand, grabbed another five-wicket haul.
England lost two early wickets in the chase of 296 runs, but Joe Root (86) and Ollie Pope (82) stitched a brilliant 134-run partnership. Bairstow (71) then came in early on the final day to finish the chase easily. England eventually won the match by a margin of seven wickets.