Bairstow had ‘really good fun’ at Trent Bridge

England batsman Jonny Bairstow said he had “really good fun” as he smashed his way to a century in a record-breaking victory over Australia in the third ODI at Trent Bridge on Tuesday.

The hosts, powered by Bairstow’s 139 off 92 balls and Alex Hales’ 147, hit the highest ever total in ODI cricket of 481/6 in 50 overs.

England then bowled the Aussies out for just 239 to win by 242 runs, Australia’s biggest margin of defeat and the home side’s biggest ever victory in 50-over internationals.

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Bairstow, who opened the batting and got the home team off to a perfect start as he and Jason Roy (82) put on 159 inside 20 overs, has now scored four centuries in his last six ODI innings.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Bairstow said: “What a pitch. It was really, really good fun out there.

“It’s just a case of relaxing and watching the ball. Each opposition gives you different challenges, each bowler gives you different challenges.

“I mean, you look at [Billy] Stanlake, at 6ft9, compared to [Jhye] Richardson, who’s smaller and skiddier.

“That’s just the nature of bowlers around the world. It’s just a case of maintaining your consistency, doing your same things day after day, and keep enjoying it, and that’s what I’m doing at the moment.”

England now have an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series with the fourth game to be played in Durham on Friday.