• Bairstow hits sixth Test ton on return to side
• England reach 312-7 on day one of third Test
The conundrum that is the No 3 slot is heading towards a resolution. Something very odd would have to happen for Jonny Bairstow not to continue there when England next embark upon a Test match, in Bridgetown, Barbados, on 23 January.
Here in sapping heat, Bairstow hit his sixth Test century and one of his most cherished on his return to the team. And he was batting at No 3. This must have been a relief to the management as well as Bairstow himself. England are adopting the policy of selecting their best available batsmen regardless of where they usually bat, and in these conditions, where pace bowlers are little more evident than a lesser-spotted woodpecker, that seems an eminently sensible idea. In fact this theory may well work better for them than any other whatever the conditions.
Written by Vic Marks at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/nov/23/jonny-bairstow-makes-england-no3-spot-his-own-with-stirring-century-sri-lanka-third-test-cricket under the title “Jonny Bairstow makes England’s No 3 spot his own with stirring century”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
