Eng vs NZ: Jonny Bairstow upstages Ian Botham, England achieve unique feat to complete 3-0 whitewash

England's first-ever assignment since Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum took over as the captain and coach of the Test had a dream start as they completed a 3-0 whitewash against the reigning World Test Champions New Zealand at home. Stokes' men beat the Kane Williamson-led side by seven wickets at Headingly in the third Test match of the series.

Continuing his fine form in the series, Jonny Bairstow scored an unbeaten knock of 71 in 44 balls as the hosts comfortably chased down the total of 296 on the final day of play. Bairstow completed his half-century in just 30 balls which is the second fastest ever by an English batter and the quickest on home soil. Through his knock, Bairstow upstaged a 32-ball 50 from Ian Botham against New Zealand at the Oval in 1986. Botham stills holds the record of the fastest by an English batter ever. He had achieved the milestone against India at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium in 1981.

Fastest fifty for England in Tests:

28b - Ian Botham vs IND, Delhi (1981)

30b - Jonny Bairstow vs NZ, Leeds (2022)

32b - Ian Botham vs NZ, The Oval (1986)

Bairstow finished the series with some incredible numbers. He scored a total of 394 runs at an average of 78.80 and a an incredible strike-rate of 120.12. In the second Test match at Nottingham, Bairstow had scored the second fastest century by an English batter in Test cricket history with a 77-ball ton.

Meanwhile, England became the first-ever team to chase down a total of 250+ in a Test series on three different occasions. Alongside Bairstow, Joe Root continued his fine form with an unbeaten knock of 86. In the first innings, Bairstow had scored a sensational knock of 162 in 157 balls. Debutant Jamie Overton put up a record seventh wicket partnership with Bairstow while making 97 runs himself.