The fourth Ashes 2023 Test in Manchester witnessed a rollercoaster of emotions on Day 3 as England put up an impressive score of 592 runs before being bowled out by the Australian side. However, more than England’s mammoth total, what stole the limelight and left fans erupting with emotions was the heartbreakingly close miss of Jonny Bairstow on his well-deserved century.
Resuming their innings on the third day at 384/4, England batters went guns and blazing to pile on the runs and establish a commanding lead over their Australian counterparts. Harry Brook (61) and Ben Stokes (51) made valuable contributions by scoring fifties for the home s♚ide, while Bairstow left everyone in awe with explosive innings lower down the order. Bairstow displayed a masterclass of aggressive stroke play, scoring an unbeaten 99 off just 81 balls and leaving the Australian bowlers struggling to find an answer. Throughout his innings, the 33-year-old exhibited exceptional timing and placement, punishing any♒thing loose from the bowlers. He displayed an array of exquisite shots and enthralled the spectators with extraordinary batting prowess.
Soon after the exceptional batting display, Bairstow approached his century, ౠwhich seemed assured as he was just one run away from reaching the three figures. However, fate had other plans as he missed the milestone by the barest margin.
It all happened in the 107th over, with Bairstow standing at the non-striker end unbeaten at 99 and Cameron Green bowling a length ball from round the wicket to James Anderson at the striker end. The ball struck Anderson’s pads, and the appeal for an LBW was upheld by the umpire. Bairstow stood helplessly at the bowling end as the replays confirmed that the ball would have gone to hit the leg stump.
The disappointment on the English wicketkeeper’s face was clearly evident, but the crowd and his teammates gave him a standing ovation for his brilliant innings.
As the news of Bairstow’s near-miss spread, Twitter erupted with an outpouring of emotions. Fans from across the world admired Bairstow’s valiant effort while commiserating with him for falling agonizingly short of a century.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Heartbreakingly cruel 💔
J♏immy Anderson is out LBW, leaving Jonny Bairstow stranded at the non-strikers end on 9⃣9⃣*.
Incredible knock, 👏
We lead Australia by 2⃣7⃣5⃣. |
— England Cricket (@englandcricket)
Bairstow so unlucky to be stranded inꦍ 99 after batting scintillatingly. Was under the sc𝔍anner for being below his best in front and behind the wickets, but this stunning knock which will have left Aussies reeling
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah)
HEARTBREAK FOR JONNY BAIRSTOW…!!
England are bowled out for 592. Bairstow remains unbeaten on 99* (81). An incredible innings by Bairstow, he's absolutely smashed the Australian bowling. Badly missed out on his century!
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)
Really feel for Jonny Bairstow, b🐲atted brilliantly &am🏅p; deserved his hundred.
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan)
Jonny Bairstow brilliant innings at Old Trafford.
Bairstow♉ remained unbeaten on 🌄99* (81) with 10 fours and 4 sixes.
He deserves a hundred.
— Nawaz 🇵🇰 (@Rnawaz31888)
That run out was Jonny Bairstow's canon event.
— Heisenberg ☢ (@internetumpire)
Oh god, what a freaking hitti♕ng show by Jonny Bairstow.
Really feeling sad for him as the man definit♋ely deserved the century.🐻
— Vishal. (@SPORTYVISHAL)
Jonny Bairstow becomes the second batter to be stranded 🎉on 99 in Ashes Tests after Steve Waugh in Perth in 1995. Bairstow joins MJK Smith, G🌄eoffrey Boycott & Michael Atherton as fellow English batters with two scores of 99 in Tests.
— Mominul Islam (@MominulCric)
HEARTBREAK FOR JONNY BA♏IRSTOW, HE UNBEATAN ON 99* RUNS IN ASHES..!!
He smashed 99* runs from 81 balls against Australia in 4th Ashes Test Match. What an Amazing innings from him – TAKE A BOW, JONNY BAIRSTOW.,
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh)
Brutal Batting From Jonny Bairstow managed to score 99 of 81 balls and missed out on well deserved Hundred
Engla💜nd All out for 592 with the lead of 275🔥♥️.— Shaharyar Ejaz 🏏 (@SharyOfficial)
Heartbreak for Jonny Bairstow (🏴)!
England post a commanding 592-run total, with Bairstow's explosive knock of 99* (81) leaving the Australian bowlers shattered. 💪
An absolute masterclass from Bairstow, falling just one run s🌳hort of a sensation🥃al century!👏
— Vicky Singh (@VickyxCricket)
What 🍎an inning𓆏s by Jonny Bairstow, scoring 99 not out off 81 balls and having a vital partnership with James Anderson for the 10th wicket. He deserved a century, but unfortunately, luck was not on his side in the end😔..
Completely amazed by his performance.
— Abinash Arjunan (@Abinash2597)
I think Jonny Bairstow’s just broken Australia.
— Jon Arnold (@The_Arn)
Very very unlucky Jonny Bairstow, unbeaten on 99 as England are bowled out for 59🌸2. They lead by 275 runs.
— Anmar Goodridge-Boyce (@anmargboyce)
Gotta feel for Jonny Bairstow, stranded on 99* after an epic knock. Mind you, he didn't look too brokenhearted coming off.
— Tim Pearson (@tmpear)
