Bairstow’s double century puts Yorkshire in command at Notts

But Jonny Bairstow finally scored his maiden first-class hundred yesterday to put Yorkshire in charge against champions Nottinghamshire.

The 21-year-old, playing his 35th first-class game, had scored 17 fifties since making his debut against Somerset in June 2009.

It was an anomaly he put right in emphatic style, going on to reach 205 as Yorkshire extended their first innings to 534-9 declared before Nottinghamshire replied with 43-0.

Bairstow’s effort knocked spots off his previous career-best of 85 for England Lions against Combined Campuses and Colleges at Barbados in February.

His previous Yorkshire best was 84 not out against Nottinghamshire at Scarborough in July 2009.

The lack of a three-figure innings had become something of a monkey on his back, albeit one he seemed likely to shake off at any time.

But after playing the innings of his life, Bairstow admitted he was thrilled to accomplish the milestone.

“Getting to three-figures was a bit of a relief without a doubt,” said Bairstow, who began the day on 50 as Yorkshire resumed on 291-3.

“There was a lot of talk about me having scored so many 50s, 80s, whatever, but I knew that if I carried on doing the same things I’d been doing that the hundred would come.

“To go on and make it a double hundred was really special and something I’ll never forget.

“It was great to get it for the boys and also for my family and friends.”

While there was delight for Bairstow, there was disappointment for Joe Root, who started day two just 11 runs short of his own maiden first-class hundred in only his fourth Championship match.

The 20-year-old perished in the day’s sixth over, caught behind for 95 after following a ball from Paul Franks.

Root was annoyed with himself as he left the crease, but his composed display suggests it is only a matter of time before he follows Bairstow to the three-figure mark.

Root and Bairstow added 119 in 45 overs after coming together at 184-3 on the first afternoon.

Their separation triggered a mini collapse as Yorkshire slipped from 303-3 to 331-7 beneath overcast skies.

Gerard Brophy was bowled by Luke Fletcher for a third-ball duck before Franks had Adil Rashid caught at second slip and Rich Pyrah caught behind.

It seemed Yorkshire might struggle to get up to 400 against an injury-hit attack in prime batting conditions.

But Bairstow and Ajmal Shahzad steadied the ship with an eighth-wicket stand of 52 in 14 overs, ended when Shahzad tried to hit Samit Patel out of the ground only to sky to mid-off.

Bairstow displayed no trace of nerves in the 90s, proceeding from 91 to 100 with successive off-driven fours off Patel followed by a back-foot force through point for a single.

He celebrated the landmark in joyous manner, punching the air as the crowd afforded him a warm ovation.

When Shahzad fell, Yorkshire were 383-8 and still shy of what they had hoped to score.

But Bairstow and Sidebottom ensured the platform did not go to waste against a Nottinghamshire team for whom star man Andre Adams was unable to bowl due to an elbow injury.

Sidebottom – given a generous ovation when he came out to bat in appreciation of his seven years at Trent Bridge – played with comfort in the benign conditions, finishing unbeaten on 45 from 128 balls with five fours and a leg-side six off Steven Mullaney.

Bairstow and Sidebottom batted from just before lunch until just after tea, adding 151 in 39 overs – the county’s ninth highest ninth-wicket stand and their best against Nottinghamshire, eclipsing the 120 between George Hirst and Wilfred Rhodes at Trent Bridge in 1899.

The pair hit out towards the end as the declaration loomed, Patel coming in for particular punishment as one over disappeared for 21 runs.

Bairstow, unbeaten on 199 at tea, reached his double hundred with a leg-side six off Patel, one of five he struck off the left-arm spinner who struggled to defend the short leg-side boundary to the Bridgford Road stand.

Bairstow was finally bowled by Mullaney as he attempted to strike the seamer through the off-side.

Bairstow gave just one chance – Ben Phillips putting down a caught-and-bowled opportunity when the batsman was 186, the bowler having to leave the field for treatment to a sore left thumb.

Yorkshire’s total was their highest in Nottingham, beating the 520-7 declared at Trent Bridge in 1928, and a good response to recent top-order wobbles.

Nottinghamshire encountered no alarms in their reply before bad light ended play at 5pm.

Neil Edwards struck six boundaries in his 29, while Mark Wagh held firm at the other end. The day, however, belonged to Bairstow, who will look back with pride on a polished performance.

Yorkshire will hope it is the catalyst for a succession of sizeable scores in the years ahead.

[email protected]