Jonny Bairstow ‘passionate’ about leading England rebuild

Jonny Bairstow’s desire to help rebuild England’s Test side was on full show on the first day of their series in the West Indies, with a fine century on the field and a declaration of his “passion” as he left it.

Bairstow arrived at the crease with England 48 for four, a familiar tale of woe for a side whose tepid batting has seen them muster just one victory in their last 14 attempts.

Things hit a nadir during a 4-0 humiliation in this winter’s Ashes, during which Bairstow hit the only English hundred of the tour at the SCG, and another collapse appeared to be on the cards at Antigua’s Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

But Bairstow had other plans. He stopped the rot in a hard-fought partnership with Ben Stokes (35), then made his way through the gears as home attack grew weary and the ball went soft.

He led a stand of 99 with Ben Foakes (42), cutting and pulling in dominant fashion before bringing up his eighth career hundred with a sweep.

His 109 not out dragged England to the relative security of 268 for six and he was beaming with pride as made his way to the pavilion.

“I’m delighted, absolutely delighted to start the series like that,” he said.

“I’m so pleased, I’m very passionate about playing for England and very passionate about playing Test cricket. Obviously I didn’t start in the Ashes but I got my opportunity and looked to take it.

“It’s been a good build-up here too and to start this way this series is fantastic. Hopefully we kick on and it’s the start of a few this year.”

Bairstow insisted there was no sense of deja vu as the wickets started tumbling in the morning session. There have been concerted efforts to draw a line in the sand after what happened Down Under but they could easily have been washed away by