A couple of centuries unbeaten in the fourth inning against Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow has led England to a record-breaking chase in the fifth round against India.
Root (142 not out) and Bairstow (114 not out) combined for an undefeated 269-run position while England chased a total of 378 with just three ports to tie the five-game series at two games each.
The 269 undefeated Root and Bairstow was the fourth highest in the fourth inning of a Test match and the second highest undefeated in the fourth inning from Gordon Greenidge and Larry Gomes.
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Chasing in 378, England broke their old chase record, the famous 359 that pitted Australia against the 2019 Ashes, when Ben Stokes rescued just one victory from the mouth of defeat at Headingley.
Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root joined with a score of 107 and made 269 runs (Getty)
It was a bitter pill to swallow for India, who seemed ready to win the series for most of the test. It was the first time India failed to defend a total of more than 350 in its test history.
The chase was England’s fourth with more than 250 in 2022, with a total of 279, 299 and 296 against New Zealand in a three-match series last month.
The four chases have come since England appointed former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum as a test coach after disastrous tours of Australia and the West Indies, with the team’s aggressive approach reflecting that of their coach. Kiwi during his playing days.
Bairstow was named the Match Player for his remarkable two centuries, with the right-hander scoring 589 runs with 578 balls averaging 196 in his last five Test innings.
“It’s about having the enjoyment factor, not being afraid to fail, putting pressure on the opposition again,” Bairstow said of the team’s new mindset under McCullum.
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“We’ll lose games along the way, but the positive mark is fun to play.”
“It’s up to the players, to get the job done for me,” said Stokes, England’s test pattern.
“When you’re clear about how we do it in the locker room, totals are easier. 378 five weeks ago would have been scary, but everything is fine.
“We are trying to rewrite how test cricket is played, in England in particular.
“We know we want to give new life to the Cricket Test, and the support we’ve had has been amazing. We’re bringing a new set of fans to the Cricket Test. We want to leave a mark.”
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