England's Jonny Bairstow enjoying purple patch as he hits third ODI century in row

Sport360 staff 23:42 11/06/2018
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  • It has been some year for Jonny Bairstow in one-day cricket. A year ago, the Test wicketkeeper was a regular 12th-man in the one-day international side and forced to play a bit-part role as England‘s white-ball form improved.

    After breaking into the side in the Champions Trophy last summer however, he has made the opening spot his own with a remarkable run of form. Sunday’s shock defeat to Scotland in Edinburgh will mean his own personal feats are somewhat overlooked, but he was once again in scintillating form at the top of the order as he hit a 54-ball century to mark his third ODI ton on the bounce.

    It is the first time an English batsman has achieved the feat – only Kumar Sangakkara has more with four – and it was his fifth ton in his last 16 innings. Although he was unable to go on to play a match-winning knock in Edinburgh, Bairstow is pleased with how he has cemented his spot.

    “To score three on the bounce is really pleasing considering 12 months ago people were questioning whether I should be playing or be opening the batting or be in the middle order,” he said.

    “Twelve months down the line, to score five hundreds and three on the bounce, I am pleased with where I have gone.”

    Having lost to Scotland for the first time in their history, England must now turn their attentions to Australia, who they face at the Oval on Wednesday in the first of a five-match series.

    Captain Eoin Morgan said that the defeat will act as perfect preparation for the series, and Bairstow agreed that it will be a completely different challenge to face an Australia side going through an uncertain period following the suspension of two key players and a change in leadership.

    He said: “It’s a completely different challenge and a completely different team that we will be playing. It’s a team that has a lot of new guys in, without (Mitchell) Starc, (Josh) Hazlewood, (Pat) Cummins, (David) Warner, (Steven) Smith, so there are guys wanting to compete for places and we know just how dangerous that can be when people are pushing for a permanent place.”

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