Jonny Bairstow opens up following his stunning hundred

Veteran England keeper-batter Jonny Bairstow has revealed that several people asked him not to play in the IPL prior to the Test series against New Zealand. However, Bairstow admitted that the cash-rich league was integral to his swashbuckling hundred against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.

However, Bairstow earned the 'Man of the Match' award in England's five-wicket victory on the final day of the second Test against New Zealand. The right-handed batter smashed a 92-ball 136 in the hosts' pursuit of 299 and added 179 with the captain Ben Stokes to lead his side to a memorable win. England needed only 50 overs out of the 72 available to reach the target.

The veteran batter also revealed facing opinions that he shouldn't have been in the Indian Premier League before the Test series but also stated that the tournament helps switch gears when it is required. He also acknowledged that the current scheduling doesn't allow cricketers to have it both ways.

The Englishman said, as quoted by the Daily Mirror: "There were a lot of people that were saying I should not be at the IPL and I should be playing county cricket. That's part and parcel of the game. But there's also elements to it where you are playing against the best in the world at the IPL."

He continued: "So being able to have those gears, to be able to go and switch them up, switch them down is important. Yes, people say it would be fantastic if you had four games of red-ball cricket under your belt. Unfortunately, that doesn't happen in the current scheduling of everything around the world."

Jonny Bairstow, who has smashed three centuries in his last six Tests, reached the three-figure mark in only 75 balls. He hit seven sixes in his knock and helped the hosts clinch the series with one game to spare. He also credited Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum for giving them freedom and is excited to play in the future under them. 

He added: "Everyone has got complete backing from Brendon and Ben about how they want to go about their games. I've played under lots of coaches and captains and they've all brought different good bits out of me, and I'm extremely excited about the vision Brendon and Ben have for the team. It has only been a couple of weeks so the relationship is evolving and everyone is learning their part, but there hasn't been a negative thought in the dressing room. It is the start of an exciting journey."

The third and final Test will start on June 23 at Headingley in Leeds.