Jonny Bairstow smashed a sensational century as England cantered to a record chase of 359 to beat Pakistan by six wickets in the third ODI at the County Ground in Bristol on Tuesday.
Bairstow clubbed 128 runs off 93 deliveries, supported by 76 from Jason Roy, Joe Root’s 43 and an unbeaten 46 by Moeen Ali.
It meant England completed their second-highest run-chase in ODIs, and best at home, with 31 balls to spare.
After England’s thrilling win in the second game at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on Saturday, Pakistan again played their part in a run-filled contest, with both sides taking advantage of the batting friendly pitch, short boundaries and lightning outfield.
Asked to bat first, Pakistan piled on 358-9, led by Imam-ul-Haq’s composed 151.
But the visitors had no answer to the Bairstow assault, England taking a 2-0 lead without rested trio Jos Buttler, Adil Rashid and Jofra Archer.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
For his incredible 💯, @jbairstow21 is adjudged Player of the Match in the third ODI v Pakistan.
Well batted! 👏 👏 #ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/hMBY33YOyq
— ICC (@ICC) May 14, 2019
Steve Harmison "It was brainless, some of the bowling. Over the wicket, into Jonny Bairstow who was batting on off-stump, to the short boundary with left-arm seamers in the powerplay, it just didn't make sense. It was poor thinking and poor execution" #EngvPak
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) May 14, 2019
Up to and including the 2015 World Cup, all England batsmen combined had scored three ODI hundreds faster than this one from Jonny Bairstow.
Since the start of 2018, Jonny Bairstow has scored three ODI hundreds faster than this one from Jonny Bairstow.
— Dave Tickner (@tickerscricket) May 14, 2019
Jonny Bairstow wow 100 in just 74 balls pic.twitter.com/UNqCu8DVBR
— Sajan Randhawa (@Certified_Fan_) May 14, 2019
Absolutely brutal hitting from @jbairstow21!! 💯
Scorecard/Videos: https://t.co/fLCRDdOOpc#EngvPak pic.twitter.com/dVlKMriNgM
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) May 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/kosigi_vijay11/status/1128365745488850944
Jonny Bairstow's wagon wheel entering HoF territory.
Remember kids – there's no money to be made on the off side. #EngvPak pic.twitter.com/b5EvVMN1Kd
— Vithushan Ehantharajah (@Vitu_E) May 14, 2019
👏 💯 for Jonny Bairstow 👏
Runs: 100 | Balls: 74 | Fours: 12 | Sixes: 3#ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/SicIQfGppV
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) May 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/indiantweeter/status/1128355649094586374
💯 A 7th ODI century for Jonny Bairstow!
❄️ Ice through his veins.#ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/gwLG6XJMGh
— William Hill (@WilliamHill) May 14, 2019
Career ODI averages:
Jonny Bairstow – 46.14*
Sachin Tendulkar – 44.83The Bradford Bradman 👑#ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/yXnJGVyVlq
— bet365 (@bet365) May 14, 2019