‘It feels amazing’: Jonny Bairstow salutes travelling support after century

Jonny Bairstow saluted the return of England’s travelling supporters and reiterated his passion for Test cricket after a sublime unbeaten century delivered a telling fightback in Antigua.

The Yorkshireman walked off the field at stumps on day one of the first Test against West Indies with 109 not out from 216 balls against his name and England 286 for six following a rocky start to their Caribbean tour.

Joe Root’s tourists had slumped to 48 for four in the morning session but in front of 5,000 supporters – the first overseas horde for an England Test match since the start of the pandemic – Bairstow’s second century of the winter provided a foothold.

“It feels amazing,” said Bairstow, who after a watchful start bludgeoned 17 fours for his eighth Test century and put on a crucial stand of 99 with Ben Foakes for the sixth wicket.

“I’m very passionate about playing for England and very passionate about playing Test cricket. I’m absolutely delighted, it’s been a good start to the year and hopefully that continues.

“ To score a century in any Test is amazing but here with the travelling fans who haven’t been able to come for a few years – what an occasion.”

Using saliva on the ball will be banned and considered tampering under a new set of laws announced by the MCC.

After the sport resumed following the outbreak of Covid-19, the ban was a playing condition in most forms of the game. Research by the sport's lawmakers found this "had little or no impact on the amount of swing the bowlers were getting", with players using sweat to polish the ball, which was equally effective.

The MCC said the new law, which will come into force from October, "also removes any grey areas of fielders eating sugary sweets to alter their saliva to