Jonny Bairstow HEADBUTTS helmet in cheeky salute to Cameron Bancroft controversy
JONNY BAIRSTOW showed his sense of humour after hitting a brilliant century for England in their first innings against Australia.
Jonny Bairstow headbutted his helmet in a salute to his controversy off field
Bairstow made headlines earlier in the series after it emerged he had head butted Australia batsman Cameron Bancroft.
It turned out to be nothing more than an awkward greeting from the 28-year-old.
And he was heavily mocked by Australia fans and, in particular, Bancroft and Steve Smith after they both recalled the incident.
However, Bairstow proved to have the last laugh on the second day of the third test in Perth.
He hit his maiden Ashes century as England took control and celebrated wildly down the wicket.
Jonny Bairstow celebrated emphatically after hitting his century
He was clearly emotional after a solid knock
Bairstow leapt in the air with his bat held aloft before touching his helmet to his head.
It was a cheeky nod to the incident with Bancroft and England captain Joe Root saw the funny side as he was pictured laughing while Bairstow celebrated.
He was eventually bowled out for 119 after striking up an excellent partnership with Dawid Malan.
Joe Root could be seen laughing as Jonny Bairstow celebrated
And legendary England batsman Geoffrey Boycott was full of superlatives for Bairstow’s display.
“It might be his best innings,” legendary England batsman Geoffrey Boycott told BBC Test Match Special.
“The pressure on the England team at 2-0 down and with events off the field was huge. The batsmen had failed before this innings. So to play without a blemish, a nick, a chance – he’s batted beautifully.
“If he got up the order a bit he might get a few more hundreds too..”