Bairstow certain tourists on top in Perth contest

LONDON: Jonny Bairstow claimed England were more than happy with where they stood heading into day three of the crucial third Ashes Test in Perth.

The tourists posted 403 in the first innings — mostly down to Bairstow’s 119 and Dawid Malan’s 140. Australia started the third day, which began earlier today, on 203 for three with in-form skipper Steve Smith on 92 not out.

But rather than lament not getting 500 — which at one stage, when England were 368 for four, was well within their grasp — Bairstow said the tourists were very pleased with their work so far at the WACA.

“We’ve got 400 on the board. From 100 for four, we could have been out for a lot less than that. For us to get 400 from that position was a great effort from the guys,” the wicketkeeper-batsman said.

“We’re happy so far. (Today) the first couple of sessions are massive for us. There’s no reason why we can’t come out and take a couple of wickets. If we can take a lead into that second innings, who knows what can happen down the line?”

Modern-day dressing rooms are not places where self-doubt and negativity are allowed to inhabit, so it is not surprising to hear Bairstow speak a volley of positives. However, there is little doubt that with Smith looking, as ever, in imperious form and the pitch looking flatter by the over, England would have been kicking themselves at not posting a bigger firstinnings total. Even posting over 400 for the first time this series does not mask the worry about the batting line-up — Bairstow and Malan put on 237 runs for England, the rest of the line up managed just 161 runs between them.

But that is not to take away from Bairstow’s century. It was his fourth Test ton, his first in the Ashes and easily his best to date. He said: “I’m delighted to get my first Ashes hundred. It’s something as a boy I’ve wanted to do. To get it at the WACA makes it more special.”