NEW DELHI: While England have struggled to fully commit to the Bazball approach in the ongoing Ashes, Jonny Bairstow, the original face of that aggressive style, is quietly rolling back the years in the current SA20 season.

Bairstow produced a trademark counter attack at Centurion, blasting an 85 off just 45 balls to steer Sunrisers Eastern Cape to a dominant 10 wicket win over Pretoria Capitals.

The innings included eight fours and six sixes, with his strike rate soaring to 188. The Lion King, it seems, still has plenty of fire left.

Watching Bairstow bat remains a treat. The free flowing hands, the long arc of the bat and the ball disappearing to all parts of the ground in moments make for a captivating sight.

A return to peak Bairstow

That natural spontaneity is what has always set Bairstow apart from many of his English contemporaries and made him a key figure in the plans of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum when England reshaped their Test cricket identity.

It was evident when he tore into experienced spinner Keshav Maharaj, smashing 34 runs in a single over, the most expensive over ever bowled in SA20 history.

Until that point, Bairstow had played a relatively quiet role alongside Quinton de Kock, but the assault on Maharaj completely shifted the momentum of his innings.

“Did it look like I went into my shell, just with a four? Of course I was looking to hit six sixes, like when you've got three away and you're thinking, okay, maybe let's try and give it a go.

“So, yes, unfortunately, I got that one for four. But, yes, I was definitely trying,” Bairstow said with a chuckle.

Enjoyment still driving him forward

The knock felt like a flashback to 2022, a year when Bairstow scored six of his 12 Test hundreds and looked settled and content with his game.

A run of injuries and a steady dip in form since then had dragged him away from that space, and the runs became harder to come by.

So, does this innings signal a return to that mindset?

“Look, I think there are different pressures. Obviously, when you're playing with England, there's pressure of playing for England. When you're playing franchise cricket, there's pressure of being an overseas, like people are in the IPL.

“So, yes, there are different pressures. But, at the same time, the enjoyment factor is a huge part of why I'm still playing. And long may that continue,” he added.

That outlook perhaps explains his recent decision to sign a three year contract with Yorkshire, a clear sign that he is not thinking about stepping away just yet.

Bairstow’s fifty also came on a day when his county and country teammate Joe Root brought up his 41st Test century in the ongoing Sydney Test.

“Absolutely incredible. Joe Root is, without doubt, the best of our generation. He's now had 41 Test 100s. He's played through some of the trickiest times and proved everyone by scoring two Test centuries in Australia this time.

“So, I'm absolutely delighted for him. He's a great bloke, a great friend. Hopefully, he can get another one,” Bairstow said.

And judging by his recent form, Bairstow himself may be eyeing a few more additions to his tally of 11581 runs for England.

(With PTI Inputs)