England completely dominated Australia on Day 3 of the fourth Ashes Test in Manchester, amassing a colossal total of 592 runs in their first innings. The standout performer of the day was Jonny Bairstow, whose exceptional hitting abilities were on full display as he scored an unbeaten 99 runs, narrowly missing out on a century due to his team running out of wickets.
Bairstow’s innings was a breathtaking display of audacious shots, including 10 boundaries and four sixes, one of which was a phenomenal maximum that will be remembered in cricketing highlight reels for years to come.
As England approached the end of their innings with just one wicket remaining, Bairstow went all out, attacking every opportunity that came his way. In the 105th over, facing Pat Cummins, he showcased his brilliance with a spectacular six off a luscious pull shot.
However, Bairstow had something even more extraordinary in store for the very next ball. Cummins pitched the ball wide of the stumps and at the perfect length for Bairstow, who swiftly cleared his front leg and connected with the ball right from the sweet spot of the bat. The ball soared high over deep midwicket and into the stands, sending the crowd into a frenzy of excitement.
Left stranded at 9️⃣9️⃣* but won everyone's heart over 💯 times 😍
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 21, 2023
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Back in the dressing room, Bairstow’s teammates, including skipper Ben Stokes and compatriot Joe Root, were in awe of the incredible shot. Their mouths were agape, and they couldn’t believe the power and precision behind Bairstow’s hit. Stokes couldn’t contain his excitement and exclaimed, “That’s massive!” This reaction echoed the sentiments of cricket fans worldwide, who flooded social media with awe and admiration for Bairstow’s extraordinary performance.