England’s Jonny Bairstow believes he can play a role anywhere among their top six batsmen after a magnificent match-winning performance in a five-wicket victory over South Africa in the first T20I at Newlands on Friday.

England were in trouble at 34 for 3 in the sixth over chasing 180, before Bairstow bludgeoned nine fours and four sixes for an unbeaten 86 from 48 balls to take them to victory in a perfect audition for next year’s T20 World Cup in India.

He batted at No.4 with England choosing to open with Jason Roy and Jos Buttler, who both failed on a slow wicket, not easy for stroke-making.

“It is something you have to enjoy, having played different formats of the game, whether you are opening or batting at No.6, you learn to craft your innings in different ways,” Bairstow said at the post-match presentation. “Different surfaces will change our (batting) order, but we are fortunate to have people who can come in and play different positions.”