England skipper Alastair Cook showered praise on the team's wicket-keeper Jonathan Bairstow, who scored a century against Sri Lanka in the first innings of the opening Test of the series at Headingley in Leeds. The hosts beat their opponents by an innings and 88 runs within three days, as Bairstow made 140 to record his second international century.
Bairstow's ton laid the foundation for the team's total of 298 while also taking nine catches standing behind the stumps. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 91 and 119, with James Anderson's swing in the overcast conditions helping him pick 10 wickets for 45.
Cook lauded Bairstow, saying that he always knew that the right-hander would represent the national team when he first saw him play.
“Jonny was playing on a different wicket to the other 21 guys it was an extraordinary innings. The bowlers, you don’t want to take it for granted but you knew with those two (Anderson and Stuart Broad), the skill they have got, it would be really hard work for Sri Lanka,” said the delighted English skipper.
Bairstow had made a match-winning knock of 83 not out in an ODI against New Zealand at Durham in June last year. “Ever since that ODI innings at Durham, he realised he can play international cricket and be the talent we all knew he could be,” said Cook.
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Cook who had scouted the young keeper said he believed in Bairstow’ s talent, “I remember the first time I saw him play, at Scarborough, he played differently to everyone else we couldn’t stop him scoring. I thought he’d play for England, the first time I saw him. Like everyone, you take a bit of time and over the past two years there hasn’t been a better batsman in England."
Cook, who was heading towards a milestone of becoming the youngest player to score 10,000 Test runs, was unfortunately restricted for 16 runs by Sri Lanka's Dasun Shanaka, with 20 more runs needed for him to scale the record.
Angelo Mathews feels “humiliated”
Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews admitted that it was a humiliating defeat for the team, and also hoped they avoid repeating the fiasco. “It was quite an embarrassing defeat … humiliating,” Mathews said after the match.
“Anderson showed his class, and Stuart Broad was brilliant as well. You have to be realistic, batting against these guys in these conditions. But one or two of our guys needed to put their hands up, and we failed to do that," he added.
England are currently leading the three match series 1-0, and will be playing the next match at the Riverside Ground on May 27.
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