Nothing should stop an emotional Jonny Bairstow from realizing his ambition to score an Ashes century in Australia – not even a nasty blow to his thumb during the fourth Test in Sydney on Friday. The 32-year-old typified the grit of a counter-hitting 128-run partnership with the injured Ben Stokes to raise his first Test century in Australia, and England’s first on a demoralizing tour that saw the Ashes parted ways in 12 days. Bairstow turned the tide and finally gave the tourists something to cheer about with his unbeaten 103 from 140 balls, spanning eight fours and three sixes.
There was also some emotion to this test, which started on the 24th anniversary of his father David’s sudden death.
Bairstow looked to the sky as he reached his goal.
“I’m very proud, I had to dig deep,” he said.
But his punchy knock didn’t come without pain after he received a vicious blow to the right thumb from Pat Cummins, who for a time threatened to cut his innings short.
Bairstow was at 60 when Cummins dug into one and crushed his thumb holding the bat.
He needed treatment from the team physio, painkillers and tires before bravely continuing to defy Australian attempts to get him out.
“It takes quite a bit to get me off the park. Yes, it was painful, but the circumstances of the race made it one of those decisions that I made to stay there,” he said.
“The medics can advise you, but you’re playing in an Ashes Test match, New Year’s Day Pink Test match in Sydney in front of a large crowd, it will take a lot to get you away from that.
“Maybe I’ll get an X-ray tomorrow, but I think I’ll be there tomorrow morning.”
Bairstow went under pressure to the center of the SCG to score points. It was his first Test century in 38 innings since he made 110 against Sri Lanka in Colombo in November 2018.
He roared with delight as he slammed Cummins against the ropes to raise his barrel.
“I went back to some things with my technique that I used a few years ago,” he said.
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“I was relieved and overjoyed,” he added.
“I felt I played well in Melbourne (previous Test), but if you haven’t been in the middle you need time to get your rhythm going.”
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