Jonny Bairstow has lauded England captain Joe Root after his magnificent 180 not out earned his side a slender 27-run first innings lead over India in the second Test at Lord's.
During his innings, Root overtook Graham Gooch to become England's second-highest Test run scorer and he also became the second-youngest player to score 9,000 Test runs.
Bairstow shared a magnificent 121-run partnership with Root and scored 57 before he was dismissed by a barrage of short bowling from Mohammed Siraj.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the end of day three, Bairstow was full of praise for Root, saying: "Obviously Joe Root will be feeling pretty good.
"What a day for him. To pass 9,000 runs and score 180 not out at the home of cricket is an amazing achievement."
Bairstow also believes the game is now "poised nicely" with England getting a small first innings lead and he is backing the bowlers to "capitalise" on day four.
"We’ve put ourselves in a position where hopefully in the morning we can capitalise," he added. "I’m sure when Jimmy [Anderson] comes on to bowl, he’ll cause a few problems himself.
"It’s all set up now – we’ll come again with fire in the belly and the lads are looking forward to getting the ball in their hand.
"If we can utilise the new ball in the morning and have a good session, we’ll see where we get to. The game’s poised nicely and it’s going to be a fascinating day tomorrow."
Bairstow also said it was "pleasing" to be part of an important partnership with Root and he is confident that he can build on that innings and "make a big one" later in the series.
"It's been a transition myself from The Hundred to Test cricket and it was pleasing to spend some time out in the middle and put on a hundred stand with Joe Root," he said. "Hopefully I can build on that, leading into the rest of the series, and make a big one."
When asked about his dismissal, Bairstow added: "There's going to be periods where people change their plans to you - if they are coming shorter to you on a pitch like that you don't mind it.
"I got out to a ball that came out the pitch slower. I was through the shot and it caught the glove."
