One more obstacle, one more box ticked for Bairstow

A single into the leg side, an almighty scream towards the press box. A salute to all four corners of the ground with his bat and helmet aloft before throwing both to the floor as if they were the last drops of frustration being expelled from his body. Simple things done in a combative manner. Jonny Bairstow in a nutshell.

This, his sixth and perhaps most physically demanding Test century, was one you could have scripted with just a smidge of insight into Bairstow's character. Even if you had only been paying attention for the last month, you could sniff this inevitability cutting through the Colombo smog.

His first shot - his first ball, in fact - was a drive through extra cover for four. Any suggestion of ring-rust went with it.

The 29-year-old arrived at the crease at