Second LV= Insurance Test, Trent Bridge (day five) |
New Zealand 553 (Mitchell 190, Blundell 106) & 284 (Mitchell 62*, Broad 3-70) |
England 539 (Root 176, Pope 145) & 299-5 (Bairstow 136, Stokes 75*) |
England won by five wickets, lead three-match series 2-0 |
Scorecard |
The second Test between England and New Zealand was won by Bairstow's century.
Bairstow made the second fastest century by an England batter in Test cricket as the hosts strolled to what should have been a challenging target of 299 from 72 overs.
Bairstow hit three figures from 77 balls, just missing the England record of 76 balls that has stood for 120 years.
He had clubbed 14 fours and seven sixes in front of a delirious full house and was eventually out for 136.
It was left to captain Ben Stokes, who ended 75 not out, to finish the job. England scored at a fast pace.
After being asked to bat, it turned out to be a remarkable turn around. Since 1894, England have gone on to win all but one of their Tests.
England took an unassailable 2-0 lead, vindicating the freewheeling approach of the new captain and coach.
The home side has a chance to complete a clean sweep in the third and final Test.
Gilbert Jessop | 76 balls v Australia, The Oval 1902 |
Jonny Bairstow | 77 balls v New Zealand, Trent Bridge 2022 |
Ben Stokes | 85 balls v New Zealand, Lord's 2015 |
Ian Botham | 86 balls v Australia, Old Trafford & Headingley 1981 |
Kevin Pietersen | 88 balls v West Indies, Port of Spain 2009 |
Ian Botham | 99 balls v New Zealand, Trent Bridge 1983 |
The 17,000 people who got free tickets for England knew they had a chance of pulling off a special win, but no one could have predicted how New Zealand would be thrashed.
The Black Caps fell to 284 all out, leaving England to score at least four overs.
The flat pitch gave the home side an advantage over New Zealand. The run-chase was amazing even then.
England had been adamant about pursuing any target, and this was an awesome demonstration of what they can do.
One of the most entertaining matches of all time took place. The previous record for the most boundaries hit in a single Test was 217 fours and 24 sixes.
Bairstow was at the center of it all and he played one of his best knocks.
He was given a hug and a standing ovation after the game, even though he wasn't there.
Bairstow has been one of the last to taste success. His best moment in an England Test shirt was when he did.
The duo needed 206 from less than 47 overs to win the game. Bairstow scored 43 from 48 balls in the tea.
There was a lot of what followed that was ridiculous. Bairstow hit Trent Boult over his head and then hooked Matt Henry. Bairstow hit the ball to the boundary.
Bairstow was on the verge of breaking Gilbert Jessop's 76-ball record for England's fastest ton. Three figures came after punching Tim Southee through the off side.
There was more carnage to come. Michael Bracewell, the off-spinner, was carted into the leg side, while Ben Stokes played second fiddle.
The biggest hit of the bunch was smashed when he sent Bracewell into the top tier.
Bairstow tickled Boult behind as the stand of 179 came to an end. They crashed the winning boundary.
It doesn't make sense to think that New Zealand had the better of the beginning of the day.
The man moved from 32 to 62 not out. The stand of 35 with Boult was crucial.
England usually begins with positive vibes. Alex Lees hit the first two balls of the game, only for Zak Crawley to edge Boult
They were pegged back every time. Pope was caught behind, Boult was a huge blow, and Lees poked at Southee after he scored.
Bairstow andStokes were England's last hope. It was simply magnificent.