Jonny Bairstow, version 2.0 saving England consistently

India and England are battling it out in the fifth rescheduled Test of the 2021 series at Birmingham, Edgbaston. India set a target of 378 and were expected to perform well with the red cherry in hand. However, as the English media says 'Bazball' was at its best as Root and Bairstow scored runs freely and have taken their side to the verge of victory.

The match has already seen its ups and downs, as the teams are not ready to give up ground easily. India scored 416 runs in the first innings and bundled out the hosts for 284 runs.

The English team have turned around the match in their favour after being virtually outplayed in the first innings. The hosts are stationed at 259 for 3 at the end of the fourth day's play. They need 119 runs to win the match and level the series. The biggest plus at the point for the English team is that Joe Root (76*) and Jonny Bairstow (72*) are out there. 

The extraordinary effort from Bairstow in the first innings is not a rarity nowadays. Recently, the batter has been the rescuer of the 'Three Lions' on more than one occasion.

Bairstow and recovery partnerships since 2021

1. Versus India at Oval, 2021: The match dates back to September 2021, the fourth Test of the current series. India batted first and put up 191 runs in the first innings. 

The Indian bowlers had the English team under pressure at 62 for 5 when Bairstow and Ollie Pope got a partnership going. The duo stitched a coalition of 89 runs. Bairstow contributed with a score of 37 runs off 77 deliveries. 

The partnership helped England get a lead of 99 runs in the first innings, although the hosts lost the match by 157 runs.

2. Versus Australia at Sydney, 2022: England was under severe pressure in this match as the Aussies posted 416 runs in the first innings. England was reeling at 36 for four when Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow got together.

They stitched a partnership of 128 runs and brought England back into the match. England was able to post 294 runs in the innings, which helped them draw a game in which they played catch-up for most of the competition. 

Bairstow was the highest scorer for his team in the innings scoring 113 runs from 158 deliveries. 

3. Versus West Indies at Antigua, 2022: The hosts put England under pressure. The team was reeling at 115 for 5 when Bairstow and Ben Foakes stitched a partnership of 99 runs.

The duo got England back on track, scoring 311 runs in the innings. Barring the partnership, England might have ended on the wrong side of the result.

Bairstow scored 140 runs off 259 deliveries, and the match ended in a draw. 

4. Versus West Indies at Bridgetown, 2022: At 110 for 4, England was struggling in the second innings of the Test. Dan Lawrence and Bairstow got together at this stage and formed a partnership of 51 runs.

This partnership kept the team in the contest, and they were able to draw the match. 

Bairstow scored 29 runs off 25 deliveries, while Lawrence scored 41 off 39 balls in the innings. 

5. Versus New Zealand at Nottingham, 2022: This effort from Bairstow was unique as it came in the fourth innings of the match while chasing a target. 

In a match where both the teams scored 500+ runs in the first innings, England was tasked to chase down 299 runs in the last innings. However, the visitors gained the upper hand, picking up four wickets for 93 runs.

Bairstow and Stokes started forming a partnership and changing the match's complexion. 

The duo scored 179 runs together and helped the team across the line. Bairstow played a brilliant knock of 136 runs from just 92 deliveries.

6. Versus New Zealand at Headingley, 2022: The visitors were looking for a comeback in the series. The Kiwis scored 329 runs in the first innings and put the hosts under pressure, having picked up six wickets for just 55 runs.

Bairstow got together with Jamie Overton and stitched a partnership of 241 runs. The duo helped England into a commanding position in the match.

Bairstow scored 162 runs while Overton scored 97, laying the foundation for the team's win.

Consolidating on the first innings batting performance England won the match by seven wickets.

7. Versus India at Edgbaston, 2022: In the current Test, India had England under the mat after scoring 416 runs in the match. The bowlers boosted the batting performance and reduced the hosts to 83 for 5. 

Bairstow played a significant role in the team's recovery as he got involved in two vital partnerships. He put up 66 runs partnership with Stokes and followed it up with a 92 runs partnership with Sam Billings.

Bairstow scored 106 runs in the first innings and played a significant role in reducing the lead margin of the visitors. England was bundled for just 43 runs after his dismissal, which proves his knock's importance.

In the second innings also Bairstow along with Root has taken charge of the situation when the team was in trouble. The duo came together when the team had lost three quick wickets and the match was in the balance. They have already stitched a 150 runs partnership and ensured the team's victory to a great extent. 

Conclusion: In the past year, Bairstow has evolved as the rescuer of the English team. He has been out there and dug his team out of trouble under critical situations. The evolution of Bairstow as the man of emergency is a treat to watch for cricket fans and experts.