The Ashes Round-up: Malan's maiden hundred steals the show

Day one of the third Ashes Test belonged to England as Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow enjoyed an unbroken 174-run stand at the WACA.

Published : Dec 14, 2017 16:41 IST

Dawid Malan celebrates after scoring a century against Australia in the third Test of the ongoing Ashes series.
Dawid Malan celebrates after scoring a century against Australia in the third Test of the ongoing Ashes series.
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Dawid Malan celebrates after scoring a century against Australia in the third Test of the ongoing Ashes series.

England enjoyed by far its finest day of the 2017-18 Ashes as Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow shone against the Australia bowlers under the Perth sun.

Trailing 2-0 coming into the third Test at the WACA on Thursday, Malan brought up a first century as he and Bairstow's unbroken 174-run stand put England in a position of strength.

THE HEADLINES

- England close 305-4 on an excellent pitch, Malan finishing unbeaten on 110 and Bairstow 75 not out.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary

- Earlier on, Mark Stoneman made 56 before controversially being given out caught behind following use of the DRS system.

- Alastair Cook's first innings on his 150th Test appearance yielded just seven runs before James Vince (25) and Joe Root (20) perished having made starts.

MOMENT OF THE DAY

Put down by Cameron Bancroft on 92 from the first delivery with the new ball, Malan shrugged off that escape and a firm pull for four off Josh Hazlewood brought up a maiden Test hundred.

OPTA FACTS

- England has never lost at the WACA when it has made 300 in its first innings; the side has lost every match in which it failed to do so.

READ: Malan's maiden Test ton lifts England

- Until today, Bairstow averaged 45.91 at number six versus 40.55 at seven.

- Malan and Bairstow's partnership is England's highest for the fifth wicket at the WACA (previously Mark Ramprakash and Graham Thorpe, 158, 1994-95). 

REACTION

"I'm over the moon, it's been pretty emotional, it's not every day you get an opportunity to score a hundred for your country. I didn't really know what to do to be honest!" - Malan reflects on his landmark moment.

ALSO READ: Malan 'over the moon' with first Test century

"Credit to the England batters, they've had a good day. Hopefully tomorrow we'll get a few quick ones and get stuck in." - Mitchell Starc calls for an Australia fightback on day two.

CAN ENGLAND GO ON AND BAT BIG?

On a true surface offering little sideways movement, England must capitalise on its promising first day and go on to make in the region of 450-500 if it is to put Australia under the pump.

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