England claim an alcohol-fuelled incident involving Jonny Bairstow has been blown out of proportion, with the wicketkeeper to escape sanction as he bids to “swipe this underneath the table”.

The England Cricket Board has investigated a physical clash between Bairstow and Australia opener Cameron Bancroft that occurred between the players in Perth earlier this month and is satisfied Bairstow did not headbutt Bancroft, while coach Trevor Bayliss has confirmed he will not discipline his wicket-keeper.

Bairstow delivered a statement to press following England’s 10-wicket loss in the first Ashes Test but did not field questions.

“It’s been completely blown out of proportion,” Bairstow said.

“We were allowed out. There weren’t any curfews. I caught up with one of my friends and caught up with some of the Western Australia guys.

“We were in the bar having a good laugh and a good evening out. It was very enjoyable.

“Cameron and I enjoyed the evening and continued to do so (after the incident).

“There was no intent or malice… hopefully we can now swipe [sic] this underneath the table and continue what should be a fantastic and exciting series.”

Bancroft also spoke to reporters, saying “he greeted me with a headbutt (but) … there was certainly nothing malicious about his action”.

“I was expecting a handshake… it was so random, didn’t expect it coming,” Bancroft smirked, recalling his “amicable conversation” with Bairstow.

“It was a good hit. Play on.”

With his captain Steve Smith stifling laughter beside him, Bancroft explained: “He connected with my head with a force that would make me think ‘that’s a bit weird’.”

But Bayliss argued “there was some contact but obviously not a headbutt, there’s a big difference”.

“It has been blown out of proportion,” Bayliss said

“A couple of our guys out on a night out and silly things happen that at the time seem a bit funny.”

But Bayliss admitted he was disappointed by the distraction and may need to look at introducing a curfew, saying his charges would “dumb and stupid” if the incident didn’t change their behaviour.

England captain Joe Root dismissed recent reports as making “a mountain out of a molehill”.

“If it was a big deal it would have come out a lot earlier,” Root said.

“We have to move on and concentrate on our cricket.”

The ECB investigated the clash between the pair that unfolded almost a month ago after Australian players were heard sledging Bairstow about it in the first Ashes Test in Brisbane yesterday.

Australian vice-captain David Warner could be heard saying “you shouldn’t headbutt our mates” before umpire Marais Erasmus intervened.

Former England great Ian Botham wondered why it emerged now.

“I find it quite pathetic to be honest. It was four weeks ago,” Botham told Fox Sports.

England Cricket Board chief Andrew Strauss played down the incident today, describing it as “playfulness” that had been “blown out of proportion”.

It is certainly minor relative to the Ben Stokes incident outside a Bristol nightclub.

Stokes continues to sweat on the result of a police investigation that will determine whether he can play any role in the five-Test series.

Bairstow was one of three players fined and given a formal warning for their behaviour on the same night that Stokes allegedly left a man hospitalised with facial injuries.

Bayliss flagged the prospect of an Ashes curfew after the Stokes fracas but decided to give his players free rein.

“There are no set curfews,” Bayliss said earlier this month.

“Not drinking between matches is just sensible. We certainly don’t want to keep players in their rooms because it is a long tour.

“You have to get out and experience what the country you’re touring has to offer.

“It’s about picking the right time to have a couple of drinks, but knowing to stay away from it if you’re preparing for a match.”

But the keeper’s misdeed – and his failure to report it to management – is not a good look for a side trying to shed the reputation of having a boozy culture.

Bairstow was one of three players fined and given a formal warning for their behaviour on the same night that Stokes allegedly left another man hospitalised with facial injuries.

The clash between Bairstow and Bancroft comes four years after a bar-room scrap between David Warner and Joe Root preceded an Ashes series in England.

-AAP