Jonny Bairstow says the new England are determined to reinvent Test cricket

Jonny Bairstow said England were determined to redefine and reinvent Test cricket following his brilliant day's play against New Zealand.

England are embarking on a new era under Ben Stokes and coach Brandon McCullum, and they have been incredibly aggressive with the bat in the series so far.

After bowling New Zealand out for 329, England came to the crease intent to slog their way to a position of dominance. However, some brilliant Trent Boult swing bowling had them reeling at 55 for six.

Even that didn't deter England, with Bairstow (130 not out) and Jamie Overton (89 not out) smashing an unbeaten 209 partnership to haul them back into the game.

"We are still in the infancy of it, only a couple of games in, but what I will say is we are looking to take the (Test) game forward," Bairstow said. "We're definitely looking at it in a different way.

"There's different ways of looking at it. You can go into your shell and bat the way people have done for years and years and years - try to survive against bowlers like Trent Boult and Tim Southee when they're bowling so well - but you need to transfer the momentum. You need to take them off their lengths.

"We're going out and expressing ourselves, taking the game forward and hopefully playing in ways that can change games.

"That's how you win games of cricket. Whether it's a bowler taking five, six or seven wickets, or batters scoring hundreds - that's what you need people to stand up with. We are looking to impose ourselves at the crease and put pressure back on to the bowlers which is in some ways a very different way of looking at it."

Bairstow's brilliant knock was not only invaluable to England but it was also one that was special to him personally.

He is a proud Yorkshireman who always seems to enjoy playing at Headingly and this time was no different.

"Being a Yorkshire lad, scoring a Test hundred at home is pretty special. My family and my mates are here as well," he said.

"Every time you score a Test hundred it's emotional. People know what I'm like - it means so much for me to play Test cricket for England and that's the kind of guy I am. I wear my heart on my sleeve, which isn't always everyone's cup of tea."

Bairstow also saved some words for Jamie Overton, who needs just 11 runs on Saturday to get a Test century on debut.

"Jamie played unbelievably," Bairstow said. "I guess it helps being 6ft 5in but blooming heck, that was some seriously special striking; unbelievable hitting.

"Hopefully in the morning we will be able to experience him getting his maiden Test hundred which would be absolutely lovely."