However, the Test wicketkeeper replaced out-of-form opener Jason Roy for the Champions Trophy semi-final defeat by Pakistan in June - England's last 50-over contest - and seized his opportunity when he was retained in Manchester.
Without the gloves - Jos Buttler remains England's white-ball keeper - Bairstow had already taken an excellent catch at deep square http://www.indianapoliscoltsauthorizedstore.com/barkevious-mingo-jersey leg off Ben Stokes to dismiss Shai Hope before he shared a stand of 125 with Joe Root.
With West Indies often bowling too short, Bairstow was strong square of the wicket, cutting to point and heaving the ball into the leg side, as well as playing handsome drives and sweeping the spinners.
His running with Yorkshire team-mate Root was particularly impressive - their speed and understanding ensured that the scoreboard was constantly ticking over.
Though Root played on to his stumps for 54 and captain Eoin Morgan was caught behind - both off pace
bowler Kesrick Williams - Bairstow reached a 97-ball century by driving the off-spin of Ashley Nurse through cover for three.He celebrated with a leap into the air and, later the same over, Stokes completed victory with a straight six.
Despite bright sunshine, a sodden outfield raised the prospect of the Old Trafford crowd being denied the opportunity of being entertained by Gayle, who was playing in his first ODI for more than two years.
When play finally got under way two hours late, Gayle was dropped by Root at second slip off Chris Woakes from only the third ball of the innings but then climbed into Woakes and new-ball partner David Willey.
Targeting mid-on, the left-hander clubbed three sixes before miscuing Woakes to be well held by Root, who was running back from extra cover.
From there, West Indies struggled to build momentum and lost regular wickets in the middle overs to some Benardrick McKinney Youth Jersey disciplined England bowling, with Stokes (3-43) and Adil Rashid (2-31) impressive.
The tourists slipped from 149-4 to 187-8 and needed captain Holder to drag them towards respectability - it was he who hit all five of their boundaries in the final 10 overs of the innings.
Stokes was wayward in a final over in which West Indies added 15 to limp past 200, but Bairstow showed that total to be sub-standard.
Man of the match Jonny Bairstow: "It's been a long time coming, I made by debut so long ago. It's been a rollercoaster in ODIs, but hopefully it's a stepping block for things to come.
"I opened for Yorkshire at the start of the year and it's gone from there. I like to hope my game lends itself to the middle order and to opening. Wherever the captain wants me to bat, I like to think that I'm adaptable."
England captain Eoin Morgan: "I thought we came back really well, it didn't take us long to adapt to conditions with the slower balls and variations, leaving us with a relatively not-too-hard target to chase down. Joe Root doesn't drop many catches and you've just got to try to create more chances. The bowling unit put in a really good benchmark for the start of the series."
England batsman Joe Root: "Jonny was outstanding, it was nice to be out there and contribute with him. He's had to wait for his opportunity http://www.houstontexansauthorizedstore.com/brian-cushing-jersey because we are so strong in our batting in ODI cricket, which is exciting. But it shows the level of his ability to come in and take his chance after such a long time waiting. He's been fantastic in red ball cricket and it's great to see him come and do this.
"He's got a big smile on his face and I'm sure we will hear about these runs for a long time. We are all really pleased for him."
BBC Test Match Special commentator Charles Dagnall: "West Indies are ninth in the world ODI rankings for a reason. They've got some of their major players back like Gayle and Samuels, but they've got to perform in West Indies colours."
