There's no one way of batting in Test cricket: Nasser Hussain lauds Bairstow and Overton

Former England captain Nasser Hussain applauded Jonny Bairstow and Jamie Overton for doing a stunning counter-attack on Day 2 of the second Test against New Zealand at Headingley. Hussain also felt that the duo set an example for the top-order batters, and they should also learn from the pair.

However, Bairstow and Overton finished day two with an unbeaten stand of 209 in 37.1 overs, scoring at 5.62 runs per over. They both steadied the ship when England struggled at 55-6, with none of the top four reaching it to double figures. By the end of the day's play, England only trailed by 65 runs to New Zealand's first-innings score.

In his column for the Daily Mail, Hussain applauded the pair's fantastic partnership and stated that it's what the coach and captain would have wanted from the team. However, he again added that the duo played with a calculative risk.

He stated: "That was a quite superb counter-attack from Jonny Bairstow and Jamie Overton. It was an excellent example of the kind of thing Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes want from this Test team. It's not all about blazing away when the odds are against you. It's about working out when is the right time to attack."

He continued: "Bairstow and Overton, who showed real nous on his Test debut, timed it to perfection. And it may be the kind of performance the top order can learn from because you have to get that balance right."

Meanwhile, Jonny Bairstow earned the 'Player of the Match' award in the second Test and reached his century in only 95 balls. On the other hand, Trent Boult and Tim Southee wreaked havoc on the hosts' top order, with the former scalping three wickets as well.

The veteran also said there is no blueprint available for batting in Test cricket, and it's all about how quickly one adapts to the situation.

Hussain added: "What the second day's play confirmed for me was there's no one way of batting in Test cricket - which is what differentiates the format from the white-ball versions of the game. When Bairstow went berserk at Trent Bridge, he'd given himself a platform before tea. You adapt to what's in front of you."

However, New Zealand started their day at 225-5, with Tom Blundell and Daryl Mitchell in the middle. While Blundell got out for 55, Mitchell reached three figures and ultimately scored 109. Southee also played a 29-ball 33 to help the visitors to 329.