Nothing could stop the 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 shared a 128-run counter-punching partnership with the injured Ben Stokes to score his maiden Test century in Australia and England’s first appearance on a demoralizing tour with the Ashes in under 12 days. Bairstow turned the tide and gave the tourists something to cheer for, scoring an unbeaten 103 off 140 balls with eight fours and three sixes.
There were also some feelings about this Test, which started on the 24th anniversary of the sudden demise of his father David.
Reaching his goal, Bairstow looked up to the sky.
“I’m so proud, I had to dig deep,” he said.
But his spirited innings did not come without pain after a nasty blow to his right thumb from Pat Cummins, which threatened to curtail his innings for some time.
Bairstow was on 60 when Cummins took a run and it crushed his thumb as he grabbed the bat.
He needed treatment from a team physio, pain relievers and strapping before he could continue with the Australian efforts to valiantly dismiss him.
“It takes a long time to get me out of the park. Yes, it was painful but in sporting situations, it was one of those where I decided to be there,” he said.
“Doctors can give you advice but you are playing in front of a big crowd in the Ashes Test match in Sydney, the New Year’s Day Pink Test match, it will take a lot to get you away.
“I might get an X-ray of it tomorrow, but I think I’ll still be there in the morning.”
Bairstow was dismissed on SCG middle under pressure to score runs. This was his first Test century in 38 innings since scoring 110 against Sri Lanka in Colombo in November 2018.
He jumped with joy as he hit Cummins with the ropes to bring up his century.
“I went back to a few things with my technology, which I used a few years back,” he said.
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“I was relieved and overjoyed,” he said.
“I thought I was playing well in Melbourne (the last Test), but when you are not out in the middle, you need time to find your rhythm.”
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