sport news 'You know me Nass, that fire is always in my belly!' Jonny Bairstow speaks to ... trends now
He has been at the forefront of the transformation in England's Test cricket with two of the greatest centuries of modern times against New Zealand.
Now, on the eve of England's 'final' Test against India, Jonny Bairstow sat down at Edgbaston to talk with SPORTSMAIL'S Nasser Hussain about Bazball, proving people wrong — and being made tea by the legendary Mary Berry…
Nasser Hussain: You've done a lot in your career, Jonny. The World Cup win and so many other highs. Where does the last month rate?
Jonny Bairstow: Yes, there have been some amazing times but I think the way we are going about our cricket is really exciting. I really do hope it's grabbing people's attention. That's exactly what we want to be doing.
We were inspired to play cricket as kids and we want to inspire the next generation to come and watch the game and play it.
Jonny Bairstow hit stunning centuries in the second and third Tests against New Zealand
Bairstow sealed the win over New Zealand in the third Test in style - by hitting a huge six into the stands at Headingley
Hussain: You must be thrilled at the way you're hitting them?
Bairstow: Yes I'm really pleased. It's been a bit of a rollercoaster but since coming in for the third Test of the Ashes at the MCG up until now, it's been great fun.
It's not like I've come back and gone, 'Right, this is what I need to change'. I'm just trying to take the complexities out of batting and keeping it as simple as possible.
You know as well as anyone, Nass, this is a simple game that is complicated by those of us who play it. I'm trying to remain as clear as possible and have no doubts about my ability or the way I'm going about my batting.
The way we're playing now, there will be times when it doesn't come off — but if we stick at this for long enough we will win a lot of games of cricket.
Hussain: I guess Bazball is a perfect fit for you if it means going out to play positive but not reckless cricket. There's not been one minute over these last three Tests when I thought you were being reckless in your hitting…
Bairstow said the brand of cricket England are playing at the moment is 'really exciting'
Bairstow: It's just looking to be busy and shifting the momentum back on to the bowler. Like you say, I haven't gone out looking to just slog or anything. I like to think it's been calculated.
Hussain: It's been very calculated. Which hundred gave you more pleasure? That hour after tea at Trent Bridge was just 'Wow'. But then Headingley must have been incredibly special to you for so many different reasons.
Bairstow: They were two very different innings. What were we when I went in at Headingley, 20 for three? (17 for three). Compared to chasing down a target at Trent Bridge when we needed 160-odd in the last session. But they were both very enjoyable.
There have been a few times I've scored runs when we've been a few wickets down and that gives you a lot of pleasure, to dig in and scrap for your team. That's what Test cricket is all about. To find that inner dog to get you through those tough periods. But we needed those runs in the last session at Trent Bridge and it was, 'Right, let's go and win this game'.
Yorkshireman also praised captaincy of Ben Stokes, who succeeded Joe Root in the tough job
Hussain: It was you and Ben at Trent Bridge. Just like it's been on a few occasions…
Bairstow: We've done it for quite a few years, haven't we? There actually wasn't that much said between us in the middle. We trust each other's games now to just go and play, which is a really good thing to have. You don't need to be saying things all the time.
Hussain: What's Ben like as a captain? He looked thrilled for you when you went to a hundred at Headingley.
Bairstow: He's been really good. Tactically very good on the field and off it he's
