Jonny Bairstow has hit a match-winning 136 from 92 balls to lead England to a series winning five-wicket win in the second test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.
New Zealand were bowled out for 284 before lunch on the final day, setting England a target of 299 to win -- the highest ever to claim a test victory at Trent Bridge.
Jonny Bairstow reacts to reaching his century from 77 balls Photo: Matthew Impey / www.photosport.nz
England were 139 for four at tea, having lost leading batter Joe Root for three, with the game in the balance.
But then Bairstow and skipper Ben Stokes ripped the New Zealand attack apart in devastating fashion, hammering 102 in the first nine overs after the interval.
In total, their partnership was worth 179 runs in 20.1 overs.
Bairstow flew to his century in 77 balls -- the second fastest test century by an England player, one ball slower than Gilbert Jessop's record against Australia at The Oval in 1902.
Stokes, battling a knee injury, was unbeaten on 75.
Ben Stokes celebrates victory Photo: Matthew Impey / www.photosport.nz
Earlier standout all-rounder Daryl Mitchell finished unbeaten on 62, with Trent Boult adding 17 as part of a 35-run last wicket partnership.
Boult's opening run made him the highest scoring batter at number 11 in test history and was met with a light-hearted appreciation of that milestone.
Trent Boult is now the highest scoring number 11 in test history Photo: Matthew Impey / www.photosport.nz
The series victory is the first for both Brendon McCullum as England test coach and Ben Stokes as captain.
The third and final test of the series will take place at Headingly next thursday.
Reuters