Jonny Bairstow hammered home England’s advantage over Australia with an outrageous display of power hitting on the third afternoon of the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford.
The home side had extended its lead to 189 runs with two wickets left at lunch, prompting the suggestion that Stokes would declare immediately after the interval.
England finished the morning session at Old Trafford on 506-8 in a Test it must win to retain any chance of reclaiming the famous urn.
With rain forecast for the weekend, Stokes could have been forgiven for allowing his bowlers as much time as possible to take the 10 wickets they require for victory.
Instead, the England skipper gave his last remaining recognised batsman free license to lay waste to Australia’s already demoralised pace attack.
Just three balls into the afternoon session, a short shower led to a break in play, but the action resumed a quarter of an hour later.
Stuart Broad made seven before skying a return catch to Hazlewood, who claimed his five-for, but Bairstow went to a 51-ball fifty with a short-arm jab over the leg-side for six.
Bairstow then proceeded to cut loose with just James Anderson for company, flaying Hazlewood for six and then clearing the boundary twice in the space of two balls from Cummins.
Stokes, up in the dressing room, displayed a look of pure astonishment and could be seen uttering the words ‘that’s massive’ as Bairstow deposited the ball into the upper tier.
Anderson had to keep out a few balls and there were a few scurried byes with Bairstow in the 90s.
Bairstow looked set to get the two runs he needed to reach three figures when he thumped Green into the off side but the Yorkshireman declined the second – sending Anderson back.
From the next delivery, Anderson shuffled across his crease and missed a flick off his pads. He reviewed the lbw verdict in vain and England were all out for 592 and a lead of 275 – with Bairstow stranded on 99 not out.
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