International novice Jonny Bairstow smashed an unbeaten 104 off 53 balls on Tuesday as England flaunted their all-round prowess ahead of the one-day series against world champions India.
England piled up 367-4 in their 50 overs in a practice match against a Hyderabad XI and bowled the home team out for 114 in just 35.3 overs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
The massive 253-run win was a timely boost for the tourists with the first one-dayer against Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s India at the same venue on Friday.
Skipper Alastair Cook hit 85 off 74 balls and Craig Kieswetter made 71 during a rollicking opening stand of 151.
Jonathan Trott chipped in with a quickfire 74, but it was the 22-year-old Bairstow who stole the show by pounding eight sixes and six boundaries.
Bairstow, who has played a solitary one-day international, reached his century with a six off the last ball of the innings.
Kevin Pietersen missed out in the run-hunt, falling for 10.
Scott Borthwick, a 21-year-old leg-spinner from Durham, enhanced his claims for a full England debut with remarkable figures of 5-31 from his 10 overs in Hyderabad’s innings.
Brief scores:
England 367-4 in 50 overs (J. Bairstow 104 not out, A. Cook 85, C. Kieswetter 71, J. Trott 74) bt Hyderabad 114 all out in 35.3 overs (S. Borthwick 5-31, S. Meaker 3-29) by 253 runs.
