Jonny Bairstow is a right-hander wicketkeeper-batsman who plays for the England team at the national level and for Yorkshire at the domestic level. He plays for England in all three formats of the game. As far as the longest format of the game is concerned, he has played about 90 matches and scored over 5500 runs, including 12 centuries and 23 half-centuries. Though he was out of the team for an extended period due to an injury, he now has established himself as the no. 1 wicketkeeper of the test side. In this article, we will have a look at the top ten test innings by the Yorkshire great.
1. 110 Vs Srilanka
Bairstow got to his sixth test century against the Lankans at Colombo in the third test of the series in November, 2018. Coming out to bat at no. 3 in the first innings, he scored 110 in 186 balls, smashing 9 boundaries and a six. He had a decent strike-rate of around 59. This century helped the visitors go past the 300-mark in their first innings. Eventually, England won the match and Jonny was awarded the Man of the Match award.
2. 113 Vs Australia
In the 2021-22 Ashes, Australia were already 3-0 up after the first three games. The focus now shifted to Sydney for the fourth test. In reply to Australia’s total of 416 in their first innings, most of the English batters failed once again. Bairstow was the only one who made a mark in the English batting lineup. Facing 158 balls and hitting 8 fours and 3 sixes, he scored 113 runs to steady their ship. He also had an impressive strike-rate of over 70. His ton helped the visitors reach 294 in their first innings. The match ended in a draw.
3. 114* Vs India
England had all to play for in the fifth test at Birmingham in July, 2022 against India. They were already 2-1 down and were looking to draw the series. After getting to the three-figure mark in the first innings, Bairstow scored yet another ton in the second innings too. Chasing 378 runs, England had lost three wickets already for 109 runs. Bairstow came out to bat at no. 5 and played an excellent knock of 114 runs. He played 145 balls and smashed 15 boundaries and even a six against a strong Indian bowling lineup. His unbeaten knock propelled the hosts to an easy victory. Bairstow was made the Man of the Match.
4. 119 Vs Australia
In the third test of the 2017-18 Ashes at the WACA, Perth, Bairstow got to his fourth test century. Coming out to bat at no. 6, the Yorkshire-man played a slow and steady knock of 119 in 215 balls, sending the ball 18 times to the fence. His impressive knock, along with Malan’s 140 propelled England to a score of over 400 in their first innings. However, Australia fought back brilliantly and eventually won the match.
5. 136 Vs New Zealand
Bairstow’s 9th test ton came against the Kiwis at Nottingham in June, 2022. After scoring just 8 in the first innings, he smashed a brilliant century in the second when his team was chasing a target of 299 runs. It was a quickfire knock in just 92 balls and a strike-rate of over 140. His innings comprised 14 boundaries and 7 huge sixes. Thanks to this knock, England won the match comprehensively and Bairstow was awarded the Man of the Match award.
6. 140 Vs West Indies
In the first test of the series between the two nations at Antigua, England were initially in a bit of trouble after losing 4 wickets for just 48 runs in their first innings. Bairstow came out to bat at no. 6 and steadied the English ship. He played 259 balls and smashed 21 boundaries to reach this milestone, helping the visitors cross the 300-run mark. The match eventually ended in a draw.
7. 140 Vs Srilanka
In the first test of the series between the two nations at Headingley, Leeds in May, 2016, Bairstow got to his second test century, his first against this opposition. He came out to bat at 83/5 and played a scintillating knock of 140 runs in 183 balls before getting dismissed by Chameera. His innings consisted of 13 boundaries and a huge six, and he had a strike-rate of over 75. His knock proved to be a vital one as it helped England cruise past the Lankans easily. Jonny was adjudged the Man of the Match for his stunning batting display.
8. 150* Vs South Africa
Bairstow’s first-ever test ton came against the Proteas in early 2016 at Newlands, Cape Town. Coming out to bat at no. 7, he faced 191 balls and smashed 18 boundaries and a couple of sixes to reach this milestone. He also converted his ton to a 150 and remained unbeaten till the end. Both the teams batted exceptionally well and hence, the match ended in a draw.
9. 162 Vs New Zealand
Another brilliant knock from the Yorkshire-great came against the Kiwis in June, 2022 at Headingley, Leeds in the third test of the series. In their first innings, England were in deep trouble after losing three early wickets for just 17 runs. Bairstow walked out in the middle at no. 5 and strengthened the English batting. His fine knock of 162 came in just 157 balls and comprised twice a dozen boundaries. He also had an impressive strike-rate of over 100. Thanks to his stunning knock, England posted a first-innings lead in the game and eventually won it too. This knock ranks second in this list.
10. 167* Vs Srilanka
The knock takes takes the top position in this list is Jonny’s exceptional knock of 167 runs against Srilanka at the historic Lord’s in June, 2016. Coming out to bat at no. 6 when the scorecard read 84/4, Jonny played a vital knock of 167 runs in 251 balls, sending the ball to the boundary rope as many as 18 times. He had a decent strike-rate of around 66. His contribution helped the hosts go past the 400-run mark in their first innings, and also earned him the Man of the Match award in the drawn match.
