Watch: Jonny Bairstow Hits 7 Sixes, 14 Fours To Score Second-Fastest Test Ton For England, Sets Up Magic Win Vs New Zealand

Jonny Bairstow led the England charge as the hosts cruised in pursuit of 299 against New Zealand on the final day of the second Test against New Zealand on Tuesday. Bairstow played with typical aggression reaching the century mark off just 77 balls. It is the second fastest ton ever by any England cricket after Gilbert Jessop's 76-ball ton in 1902. Courtesy the ton, England cruised towards the target and won the match by five wickets.

With England needing 160 off the final session, Bairstow and Ben Stokes batted with aggression to take their team towards a win. Their aggressive batting had started from the second session itself At Tea, Bairstow was on an unbeaten 43 from 48 balls, while skipper Ben Stokes had made a rapid 25 not out.

Watch: Bairstow reaching the century

Incredible.Scorecard & Videos: https://t.co/ffFnHnaIPX#ENGvNZ | @IGcom pic.twitter.com/c5yWB9CXw4

England had slipped to 56-3 when in-form star Joe Root was dismissed for just three soon after lunch, putting New Zealand in pole position to seal a win that would tie the three-match series.

But, with one session left in a thrilling encounter that could yet produce all four possible results, England were still in the hunt for a memorable victory.

Root had been England's man of the moment after successive centuries, including a match-winning 115 not out that guided Stokes's team to victory in the first Test at Lord's.

But the Yorkshire batsman, who made 176 in the first innings, was unable to repeat those heroics as he was caught and bowled by Trent Boult after facing just four balls.

The former England captain's exit came early in the afternoon session, just moments after Ollie Pope was caught behind off Matt Henry for 18.

With Zak Crawley having been