England opener Jonny Bairstow responded to critics “waiting for us to fail” with a crucial century against India in their must-win Cricket World Cup match at Edgbaston.
Bairstow said earlier this week that criticism of England’s struggling form by former players like Kevin Pietersen – who described the captain Eoin Morgan as “scared” – and Michael Vaughan as “showbiz”.
“I was in a radio interview and was surprised with a clip of Vaughan’s comments,” Bairstow said. “Bloody hell. That’s pretty rich. But of course people are going to say things, of course they are.
“Because we’ve done so well, any opportunity for someone to see we’ve lost two games, they were always going to jump on it. People were waiting for us to fail. They are not willing us on to win, in many ways, they are waiting for you to get that loss, so they can jump on your throat.
“It’s a typical English thing to do, in every sport.”
Bairstow’s hundred against India put England in a commanding position halfway through their innings, with the only casualty the wicket of Jason Roy for 66.
