Jonny ‘come lately’ Bairstow seals series win for England over New Zealand
Jonny Bairstow proved an ideal stand-in as his unbeaten 83 inspired England to a 3-2 series-clinching win over New Zealand in the fifth one-day international at the Riverside on Saturday.
Jonny Bairstow proved an ideal stand-in as his unbeaten 83 inspired England to a 3-2 series-clinching win over New Zealand in the fifth one-day international at the Riverside on Saturday.
England, chasing a revised target of 192 in 26 overs, collapsed to 45 for five, with left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner taking three wickets for four runs in seven balls.
But Yorkshire wicket-keeper/batsman Bairstow and Sam Billings (41), turned the tide during a sixth-wicket stand of 80 in 57 balls.
To make a contribution is fantastic. The way the guys have gone about their business in this series is wonderful
Adil Rashid (12 not out) then helped Yorkshire teammate Bairstow complete victory for a new-look side with an unbroken stand of 54 in 29 balls.
England finished on 192 for seven, with six balls to spare, in a three-wicket win under the Duckworth/Lewis method.
New Zealand had made 383 for nine in their full 50 overs after losing the toss.
Man-of-the-match Bairstow, only called into the squad on Friday after first-choice keeper Jos Buttler suffered a hand injury, faced 60 balls including 11 fours, during his maiden ODI fifty.
