Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow are scarily good, says James Anderson

The fifth Test match between England and India is currently going on at the Edgbaston Cricket Stadium. On the fifth and final day of the Test, England need 119 runs in 100 overs to win after ending day four on 259 for the loss of three wickets. Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root will resume the innings on the final day – Bairstow is on 72* while Root is on 76*. The duo added an unbeaten 150-run stand for the fourth wicket before stumps on the penultimate day.

Speaking to Ian Ward before the start of the play on day five, James Anderson showed confidence in Root and Bairstow, implying that England stands an excellent chance of winning the game.

 “They’re scarily good. We know Joe’s quality and Jonny is just having an amazing year. I’ve watched their shots as a bowler and just thought - what could you do?” Anderson said.

If England chase down the target of 378, it will be the eighth highest target chased down in Test cricket. And with Root and Bairstow out in the middle, the chase doesn’t seem impossible. 

Former skipper Root scored an unbeaten 76 in the first innings, before which he hit two back-to-back centuries against New Zealand. Earlier in March against the West Indies, he scored two centuries in three Tests. 

Bairstow, meanwhile, scored an unbeaten 75 in the first innings and has been in fine form this year. He scored a century in two of the three Tests against the Kiwis, prior to which he hit a century each against West Indies and Australia. 

Earlier in the game, Hanuma Vihari handed Bairstow a lifeline when the batsman was on 14, and this could eventually prove too costly for the visitors.

England will be looking to level the series, while India will be eager to seal it 3-1.