by: Atif Amin
Johnny Bairstow played innings of a life time to take England to victory in the 2nd test versus New Zealand at Trent Bridge Nottingham. Chasing a target of 299 in the fourth innings, England were 139/4 at Tea on the final day needing another 160 in another 38 overs. The prospect of another thriller between the two sides loomed large.
Bairstow started the post tea season with 13 runs in the first over and after that the charge was on and there was no stopping that. He took on every New Zealand bowler and smashed them all around the park. England scored 102 in first 9 overs after tea. Bairstow completed his 100 of 77 balls, the 2nd fastest by an English batsman. Bairstow eventually fell for 136 but by the time he had put England on the brink of victory.
Earlier New Zealand started day 5 on 224/7 with a lead of 238. They manged to add another 58 runs for the last 3 wickets to set a target of 298 in 72 overs. Johnny Bairstow was declared player of the match.
Brief Match Score:
NZ first innings 553 (Daryl Mitchel 190, Tom Blundell 106)
England First innings 539 (Joe Root 176, Ollie Pope 145, Trent Boult 5/106)
NZ Second Innings 284 (Daryl Mitchel 62*, Tom Blundell 96, Mathew Potts 3/55)
England second innings 299/5 ( Bairstow 136, Ben Stokes 75)
Match Result: England won by 5 wickets
