Here’s Jonny! Bairstow smashes 97 in first game back since breaking leg
The TelegraphThis being the sleepy surroundings of the Second XI Championship, there was just the smallest smattering of fans on hand to welcome Jonny Bairstow to the crease for his first bat since August 26, almost eight months ago. “It was like his debut again, it was obviously his first game in quite a while,” said Smith, who said that Bairstow had jokingly warned his team-mates to “watch the running”. Leading a young attack was England’s Olly Stone, who troubled Bairstow and eventually dismissed him, while a collection of willing youngsters – including Rehan Ahmed’s older brother, Raheem – could have bowled at him for weeks without troubling him. On the speed gun used by the counties, Stone clocked close to 90mph and he struck the promising opener Finlay Bean clean on the helmet, meaning his presence gave Bairstow’s test some credibility. But when you actually get out there and face bowlers like Olly Stone – we've got the speed gun downstairs and he’s close to 90mph – it's going to test you.