Dawid Malan hoping century ignites Ashes turnaround

Dawid Malan reflected on an ’emotional’ maiden Test match century after finishing the opening day of the third Ashes Test in Perth unbeaten on 110.

Malan and Jonny Bairstow, who reached the close on 75 not out, led an England revival after a rocky start with an unbroken stand of 174 as the tourists ended the day on 305 for four.

‘Over the moon to be honest, pretty emotional about it,’ Malan, whose parents were watching on at the WACA, said after his landmark innings in his eighth Test match.

Dawid Malan helped England recover from a rocky start to day one of the third Ashes Test

‘It’s not every day you get an opportunity to score a century for your country. It was very emotional out there when I hit those runs (to bring up 100) and didn’t really know what to do to be honest.

‘It’s a great feeling, especially with the way the tour’s gone, to get us in a good position for tomorrow.’ 

England, who trail 2-0 in the five-match series, have made plenty of unwanted off-field headlines, from Bairstow’s playful ‘headbutt’ to Ben Duckett pouring a drink over the head of James Anderson.

England pairing Malan (left) and Jonny Bairstow made an unbroken stand of 174 in Perth

England pairing Malan (left) and Jonny Bairstow made an unbroken stand of 174 in Perth

‘We made the headlines for the wrong things and the only way to put those things to bed is to win games of cricket,’ said Malan.

‘We’re in a position now when we’ve got one foot in the door and we need to capitalise on that tomorrow.

‘The other games we did lose and we lost comprehensively, but there were times we were on top. Australia put their foot down in those crucial moments and we weren’t good enough.

‘Hopefully in this game we can make sure we capitalise on the moments we’re on top.’



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