Australian batsman David Warner had the last laugh after engaging in a war of words with England wicketkeeper Matt Prior.
Warner put England to the sword with a sparkling 112 in the third Ashes Test at the WACA, and the left-hander made a point to celebrate his century right in front of Prior.
The pair had exchanged words earlier in the innings, and Prior was looking for a hole to hide in after missing a stumping chance when Warner was on just 13.
Warner thrust his helmet in the air right in front of Prior upon reaching his ton.
Fellow opener Chris Rogers admitted that Warner had the ability to get on people’s nerves.
But he questioned whether it was wise for England’s players to try to sledge the 27-year-old.
“There’s a lot of intensity out there and things are said, and so be it. We’re all men,” Rogers said.
“Davey was quite fired up and so be it. It just means it’s going to come back around in the next innings.
“You only have to look at his celebration – it obviously meant a lot to him.
“And the fact he could give it back to a few of the English guys, it may drive him.
“So England might have to do something different.”
Warner’s blazing knock, which featured 17 fours and two sixes, took his series average to 91.4.
His performances are in stark contrast to the recent series in England, when he was banished for the first two Tests after punching Joe Root in a bar-room incident.
Warner made just 138 runs at an average of 23 for the remaining three Tests of that series, with Australia slumping to a 3-0 defeat.
But he has been in sizzling touch this summer, scoring two tons and two half-centuries to put England’s bowling attack to the sword.
Warner might have recorded another century in Adelaide had Australia not declared with the him unbeaten on 83.
Perth has been a happy hunting ground for Warner.
In January last year, Warner slashed a 69-ball century on the way to his highest Test score of 180 in Australia’s big win over India.
And if everything goes to plan, Warner might be celebrating an Ashes triumph as early as Monday after Australia ended play on day three at 3-235, an overall lead of 369
