Leeds, June 24: Jonny Bairstow’s remarkable unbeaten century and 89 not out from debutant Jamie Overton kept England in the third Test against New Zealand at Headingley on Friday.
On another thrilling day in England’s new era, the hosts collapsed to 55-6 in reply to New Zealand’s 329 on the second day.
But Bairstow and Overton combined for a rollicking unbroken stand of 209 to take England to 264-6 at the close, 65 behind.
Bairstow lit up his home ground with 130 not out, reaching his second hundred in as many innings off 95 balls.
The partnership continued England’s hair-raising approach under new captain Ben Stokes, a mindset which looked to have been given a rude awakening during the collapse. Trent Boult bowled Alex Lees, Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley in a stunning opening spell and Joe Root nicked Tim Southee behind for five.
Stokes looked to counter-attack, only to drive to mid-off for 18 and leave England in a perilous position.
Daryl Mitchell earlier recorded his third hundred in as many Tests for New Zealand, but the tourists left the field having felt the full force of England’s wave of positivity.
England showed how they want to play under Stokes and new coach Brendon McCullum in their stunning final-day chase at Trent Bridge last week.
This, with Bairstow at the centre once more after his 77-ball century in Nottingham, was another emphatic marker.
After Boult brilliantly exposed the technique of the top order, Stokes’ decision to hit out looked to have laid bare the problems with their approach.
But, after a smart period of relative consolidation, Bairstow and Overton continued to attack in the final session.
They peppered the boundary, hitting 35 between them as England’s scoring once again matching that of a white-ball contest at 5.40 per over.
The pair came together with England six down and 274 behind, but ended the day still with hope of a win that would seal a 3-0 series victory. (Agencies)
Brief Scores: New Zealand 329 all out (Daryl Mitchell 109; Jack Leach 5/100) against England 264/6 (Jonny Bairstow 130*, Jamie Overton 89*; Trent Boult 3/73, Neil Wagner 2/53) at stumps on Day 2.
