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Yorkshire’s Johnny Bairstow outwits Sussex bowlers with unbeaten 161 Yorkshire’s Jonny Bairstow outwits Sussex bowlers with unbeaten 161
(about 3 hours later)
There are quite a few people, not all of them living in Yorkshire, who feel Johnny Bairstow got a raw deal from the selectors in the wake of England’s Ashes meltdown. Not only has he lost the wicketkeeper’s berth to Matt Prior but he now finds Jos Buttler, who strengthened his claims with a century for Lancashire yesterday, viewed as the Sussex man’s heir apparent. Quite a few people, not all of them living in Yorkshire, feel Jonny Bairstow got a raw deal from the selectors in the wake of England’s Ashes meltdown. Not only has he lost the wicketkeeper’s berth to Matt Prior but he now finds Jos Buttler, who strengthened his claims with a century for Lancashire on Wednesday, viewed as the Sussex man’s heir apparent.
The evidence at Arundel on Wednesday was that the 24-year-old, who made a chanceless first Championship century since April 2013, still has a lot to offer, not least a rock-solid technique and temperament to match. As seven wickets in two days suggests, the pitch here has gone to sleep and is certainly not the surface where Bairstow, who likes the ball coming on to the bat, would necessarily feel at home. The evidence at Arundel on Wednesday was that the 24-year-old, who made a chanceless first Championship century since April 2013, still has a lot to offer, not least a rock-solid technique and temperament to match. As seven wickets in two days suggest, the pitch here has gone to sleep and is certainly not the surface where Bairstow, who likes the ball coming on to the bat, would necessarily feel at home.
Sussex’s attack, in particular Steve Magoffin and James Tredwell, plugged remorselessly away, bowling to a ring field to restrict Bairstow’s scoring opportunities, particularly through his strong areas on the leg side. It was a day for eschewing risks but Bairstow revealed qualities of self-discipline that his detractors might not have felt he possessed.Sussex’s attack, in particular Steve Magoffin and James Tredwell, plugged remorselessly away, bowling to a ring field to restrict Bairstow’s scoring opportunities, particularly through his strong areas on the leg side. It was a day for eschewing risks but Bairstow revealed qualities of self-discipline that his detractors might not have felt he possessed.
When the Sussex attack did lose their way he pounced. He hit three sixes, a pull off Lewis Hatchett and two hefty blows over long on when he skipped down the pitch to Tredwell’s off spin. But in nearly seven hours at the crease there were only eight boundaries, which says a lot about his determination, a persevering attack and a moribund surface designed to break bowlers’ hearts. When the Sussex attack did lose their way he pounced. He hit three sixes, a pull off Lewis Hatchett and two hefty blows over long-on when he skipped down the pitch to Tredwell’s off-spin. But in nearly seven hours at the crease there were only eight boundaries, which says a lot about his determination, a persevering attack and a moribund surface designed to break bowlers’ hearts.
Bairstow would quite happily have donated one of those runs to Jack Leaning, who was out a single short of what would have been his maiden first-class century. It was not just Yorkshire voices groaning in despair when Tredwell stretched out a right hand to take a stinging return catch. The 20-year-old from York, who spent the winter learning his craft in South Australia under the tutelage of the prolific Australian batsman Phil Jacques, showed commendable powers of concentration for someone in only his fifth first-class match. Credit, too, to Chris Nash, leading Sussex in the absence of the injured Ed Joyce, who brought the field in to cut off the single and invited Leaning to hit over the top. It was the only indiscretion of his innings.Bairstow would quite happily have donated one of those runs to Jack Leaning, who was out a single short of what would have been his maiden first-class century. It was not just Yorkshire voices groaning in despair when Tredwell stretched out a right hand to take a stinging return catch. The 20-year-old from York, who spent the winter learning his craft in South Australia under the tutelage of the prolific Australian batsman Phil Jacques, showed commendable powers of concentration for someone in only his fifth first-class match. Credit, too, to Chris Nash, leading Sussex in the absence of the injured Ed Joyce, who brought the field in to cut off the single and invited Leaning to hit over the top. It was the only indiscretion of his innings.
For much of the day Yorkshire pottered along at just over two runs an over. Bairstow and Leaning put on 125 in 42 overs, then Tim Bresnan helped him add 138 in 50 overs. They declared 10 overs before stumps with a lead of 154. After 173 overs in the field, it was the last thing the Sussex openers Nash and Luke Wells wanted but they survived, although there is still work to be done on the final day. For much of the day Yorkshire pottered along at under three runs an over. Bairstow and Leaning put on 125 in 42 overs, then Tim Bresnan helped him add 138 in 50 overs. They declared 10 overs before stumps with a lead of 154. After 173 overs in the field, it was the last thing the Sussex openers Nash and Luke Wells wanted but they survived, although there is still work to be done on the final day.