England completed a stunning seven-wicket haul as their Yorkshire machines ran riot with an unbeaten stand of 269. Bairstow made 114 not out for his second hundred of the match and his sixth this year, continuing a purple patch that has redefined his entire career, while Root’s 142no was a masterclass that took him to 28 Test tons. England continued their record on Tuesday chasing a mammoth 378 to beat India Jonny Bairstow (left) and Joe Root hit unbeaten centuries as England cruise home Root hit his 28th Test century, which means he now has the maximum of any active player England started the fifth day needing another 119, but did so with comical ease in less than 25 overs and were not presented with a single concrete chance. This was nominally a decider for the series, postponed from 2021 after a Covid postponement last September, but while the win leveled the score at 2-2, it doesn’t seem fair to link this England team to the past. They are forging a whole new identity under the adventurous captaincy of Ben Stokes and the guidance of coach Brendon McCullum, incredibly delivering on the lofty ambition to change the face of Test cricket. After chasing targets of 277, 296, 299 and now 378 with a flourish this summer, it’s hard to argue. Their previous record pursuit came three years ago when Stokes produced an Ashes miracle at Headingley to wrap up 359. But where it was a heist with number 11 Jack Leach as an unlikely accomplice, this was achieved with ease. Day four had ended with England in complete control at 259 for three, with both winners in the 70s and India looking increasingly tired on the pitch. But the conditions in the morning gave the tourists cause for optimism. India got off to a poor start in the morning and Bairstow made them pay with two fours after the change of ball There was thick cloud overhead and enough bleak light to require floodlights from the start of the game. Mohammed Siraj had the first opportunity to take advantage of the conditions and his first two deliveries were slightly misbehaved, the first one went off length and the second drove again. It was a bit of a surprise to see India quickly call for a change of ball and, when the umpires agreed, Bairstow soon set about knocking the substitute out of shape. With Mohammed Shami looking for an outside edge, he blasted back-to-back boundaries through point. Root was initially content to rotate the batting with singles and had a moment of small fortune when a bottom edge went past his stumps, past the wicketkeeper and away for another four. By the time Shami got four byes down the leg side, the target had already sunk into double figures. India’s early enthusiasm had already died down but England were beginning to thrive, Bairstow stroking Jasprit Bumrah into a thin gap at mid-off and Root bending down on one knee to cover Shami. Joe Root also played some glorious touches on both sides of the crease as India floundered Mohammed Shami in particular was awkward, with Bairstow and Root capitalizing Bairstow bowled Root into the 90s but was outdone again when the former skipper hit successive boundaries off Bumrah, one going down to third man and the other pinged to deep midwicket. Root was first in three figures in 136 balls, with a ricochet over the slips doing the trick. He put on a clinic after reaching his ton, dismissing the busy Shardul Thakur. After coming down the pitch first and pinning it firmly and straight over the top, he retreated to the crease and played the last trick up his sleeve – a reverse ramp for a six over third man. It’s a shot he’s added to his already extensive repertoire this summer but every time he makes an appearance it leaves jaws on the floor. The series ends as a draw, with the fifth Test delayed after the Covid outbreak in India’s camp last summer Bairstow moved cautiously into his century, unwilling to let another golden opportunity slip through his fingers, working a single off Ravindra Jadeja to set off a familiar sprint celebration. With the landmark secured, he cut loose, smashing Siraj for three muscular boundaries in as many balls before leaving the winning moment to Root. He whizzes down the reverse for four, then pounces for the decisive run, the finishing touch to a pretty incredible performance. England’s whole-hearted bowling performance on day four went a long way to a famous victory, with Alex Lees and Zak Crawley setting the tone for the chase with an ambitious opening stand of 107. But in Root and Bairstow they undoubtedly have the double form of world cricket Players. It represents another disappointing end to a tour for India, who lost two Tests in South Africa by seven wickets as well
