No longer butt of the joke Cricket:

Bairstow’ s light-hearted nod as he celebrates first Ashes hundred

Jonny Bairstow’s first Ashes hundred has instantly become his new personal favourite.

It is 18 months since the England wicketkeeper last reached three figures in Tests – he fell a single run short against South Africa at Old Trafford last summer – and, in doing so on the biggest stage of all, he allowed a “whole heap of emotions” to come out.

After the fist-pumping and jumping for joy at the Waca in Perth, he threw in a “lighthearted” and spontaneous “butt” of the helmet he had just taken off – revisiting the unusual greeting he imparted to Australia opener Cameron Bancroft at the start of the tour.

That bar-room prank ended up causing an unwitting Bairstow plenty of consternation, of course – but, as he added his century to Dawid Malan’s on a fluctuating second day of the third Test, he demonstrated it has not cost him his sense of humour.

England went on to lose their last six wickets for 35 to finish 403 all out and then could not stop Steve Smith (92 not out) leading his team to 203 for three at stumps.

Bairstow (119) had much reason for satisfaction after he and Malan (140) pushed their double-century fifthwicket stand into Ashes record territory.

“This hundred in many ways was my favourite, because I’ve played in a few

“To score an Ashes hundred is something you dream about”

Ashes so far now,” Bairstow said. “To score an Ashes hundred is something you dream about.”

It was only when he got caught up in the celebration that he instinctively bumped his forehead on his helmet.

“A bit of light-hearted fun, with everything that’s gone on” he added.

TAKING OFF: Jonny Bairstow celebrates his century at the Waca