THE BAIR NECESSITY

Vital Jonny knock may not save Stokes

- GIDEON BROOKS

NO one appears better suited to the choke-out nature of England’s Test reinvention than Jonny Bairstow.

The batsman’s high-speed summer continued at Edgbaston as he bagged a third consecutive century and a fifth in just eight Tests this calendar year.

However, this proved the only highlight of England’s effort to peg back India in this fifth Test.

The fact that he alone carried the fight with a superb 106 – the tourists establishing a 132-run first innings lead extended to 257, three down at the close – could lead to a first loss under skipper Ben Stokes.

England have successfully chased 277, 299 and 276 in come-from-behind victories against New Zealand under the Brendon McCullum-Stokes axis.

Yet against an India attack that looks a step up on even Tim Southee and Trent Boult, a first win in their history for India in Birmingham and a 3-1 series win looks the most likely outcome.