Three things we learned from England v New Zealand second Test
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Jonny Bairstow powered England to their first Test series victory since January 2021 on Tuesday, smashing an astonishing 136 from 92 balls in a five-wicket win against New Zealand in the second Test.
Bairstow's brilliant innings was emblematic of England's new era under dynamic captain Ben Stokes and forward-thinking coach Brendon McCullum.
Bairstow's innings for the ages
Coming to the crease with England in trouble at 56-3 after the dismissal of in-form star Joe Root, Bairstow surveyed the scene and responded in emphatic fashion.
With a barrage of boundaries that carried England to their breathtaking victory, the Yorkshireman produced one of the greatest displays of raw power ever seen in a Test arena.
Bairstow's inclination to adopt an aggressive approach fits in well with the relentlessly positive mindset under the new regime of Stokes and McCullum.
Reaching his hundred in just 77 balls -- making it England's second-fastest Test ton -- the 32-year-old batter wrested the game away from New Zealand in astonishing fashion.
By the time his relentless assault was finally over, Bairstow had hit 14 fours and seven sixes.
New England era off to flying start
When Stokes took over from Root as England's Test captain before the start of the New Zealand series, expectations were at a low ebb after a miserable run under his beleaguered predecessor.
Since winning 2-0 in Sri Lanka in January 2021, England had endured five winless Test series, culminating in Ashes humiliation in Australia and a dismal defeat to the less-than-formidable West Indies.
While Root was weighed down by the pressures of the captaincy, Stokes has seized the responsibility with the verve required to change the mood around the team.
Aided by new coach McCullum's attacking philosophy, Stokes has quickly transformed England from moribund to majestic.
"It's amazing how you can change mentality quickly," former England captain Michael Vaughan told the BBC. "McCullum has to deserve a huge amount of credit. He's told them to go out and activate the game when they bat. Be busy. Be positive."
England had tasted victory just once in 17 Tests before this series but they have now won two in a row against the world champions.
That both victories were completed in nerveless final innings run chases bodes well for England's future.
Test cricket fights back
Inspired by Stokes and McCullum's desire for aggressive, fearless play at all times, England produced an epic win that proved Test cricket is very much alive and kicking.
With a deluge of limited-overs cricket, it is sometimes easy to forget the unique charms of a five-day Test.
Away from England and Australia, crowds are often small for Tests, in contrast to the packed houses that greet one-day games on the subcontinent.
While the success of the Twenty20 format in both domestic and international arenas has provided a vital revenue stream and tapped into a younger audience, a closely fought Test remains enthralling and Trent Bridge delivered a classic.
After proving that Test drama is still unsurpassed with his jaw-dropping innings, Bairstow had no doubts the format deserves its share of the spotlight.
"It was a good craic (fun), wasn't it?" Bairstow said. "Day five, full house -- if this game isn't an advert for Test cricket I don't what is."
