Jonny Bairstow stated that England is ready to chase down any target after his fifth century of his golden year was not enough to prevent India from building a significant lead at Edgbaston.
Bairstow continued his extraordinary run of form in 2022 with a smashing 106 against an elite India attack. But apart from him none of English batter crossed even 40-run mark as they gave up a 132-run first-innings lead.
Team England have proved their worth in the world cricket by defeating the current test World Champions New Zealand in the recently completed test series by 3-0.
In all of three tests, England chased down the targets of 277, 299, and 296, respectively, with the help Jonny Barstow’s special knocks.
Although, the road is tough ahead of them as they facing India and currently looking in a back seat after three days of the test match.
But even after the opposite circumstances, Bairstow sees no reason to back down.
What Bairstow said about the target?
“Whatever they set, they set and we’ll go about in the same manner. Why not?” said Bairstow.
“There’s no point in looking at figures and everything like that. We know it’s going to be on day four, day five pitches that we’re going to play on but that’s okay. Recently, it’s been a lot of fun.
“It’s fantastic playing in front of these full houses. Playing for the fans and inspiring the next generation of Test cricket coming through. Hopefully, we’re putting smiles back on people’s faces and bums on seats.”
Right now, the destructive Bairstow made a big jump from 33.49 career average at the start of 2022 to 67.69 in the eight games since the turn of the year.
“I’ve not really thought of technique and stuff like that. I’ve just stripped everything back and tried to focus on watching the ball,” he said.
“There’s my honest answer. I’ve never been a great technician, have I? That’s why people have torn me to shreds a few times. Going leg side of it, going off side of it, bowled through the gate.
“I’m pretty pleased with how it’s going at the moment. That’s why we love Test cricket, isn’t it? There’s ebbs and flows all the way through.”
Bairstow posted a splendid century in the first innings that helped England to reach a respectable total. His century came after Bairstow and Virat Kohli indulged in a verbal split. And after that, his scoring rate shooting up dramatically, and later he completed smashed a ton.
India is currently 257 runs ahead of England with 2 days game left to play.
