England’s bid to save the Ashes was given a much-needed boost after Dawid Malan scored an unbeaten century against Australia on day one of the third Test in Perth.
Trailing 2-0 in the series, Joe Root’s side need to avoid defeat at the Waca to keep their hopes alive of retaining the Ashes.
After falling to 131-4, England battled to end the day on 305-4. Malan scored 110 not out and ground out a 174-run partnership with Jonny Bairstow, who was unbeaten on 75.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Latest Videos FromThe Week
Mark Stoneman also contributed with 56 while Mitchell Starc (2-29), Josh Hazlewood (1-62) and Pat Cummins (1-60) took the wickets for Australia.
It was a superb knock by the Middlesex batsman and after scoring his maiden century in Test cricket Malan admitted he felt very emotional to reach 100 runs.
He told the BBC: “I didn’t really know what to do, I almost started crying when it happened. To do it in front of my parents, the sacrifices they made. It’s nice to repay them.
“You lie in bed at night thinking about scoring a hundred, I didn’t even know what to do. You always play it through your head about how you’re going to score a hundred at some point. Nice to do it under pressure and when the team needs it.”
Malan was praised by cricket pundits and fans for his effort in Perth. We round up the best Twitter reaction to his unbeaten 110.
Raise that bat.
A great effort.
An emotional moment for Malan.
Take a bow!
Could we see another unlikely W?
Yes indeed…
