Ashes 2017/18: "It was nice to get some runs, especially when the team needed them."- Dawid Malan

Dawid Malan scored his first Test century and became the first English batsman to score a hundred in the ongoing Ashes. His ton helped England propel to a decent score of 305/4 at stumps on day one. Malan was equally partnered by the wicket-keeper batsman, Jonny Bairstow who was unbeaten on 75. The two batsman helped England to recover back in the match as they were 131/4 at one stage.

Alastair Cook who was playing his 150^th Test was removed cheaply on 7. James Vince and Joe Root failed to capitalise on the start once again as they scored 25 and 20 respectively. Mark Stoneman was dismissed controversially on 56.

Malan scored his first Test ton in his eighth Test and what better stage it could have been than an Ashes Test at the WACA in Perth and when his team is trailing 2-0 in the series after the first two Test. Malan was clinical in his shot making and counter-attacked the Australian pace trio who barraged a spell of short pitch deliveries at the beginning of his innings.

Malan expressed his feelings of scoring an Ashes hundred after the day’s play. He said:

“I have felt pretty comfortable in games and it was about making sure that when I got in I was ruthless enough to get through those tough periods. Every time you open the newspaper, you read how poor you are – it is nice to tick a box and prove to yourself that you can play at this level and that you can score hundreds. I feel I have played pretty well in the games – I haven’t felt like I was going to get out at any point. I have just given it away or got a good ball in other innings.

“When I walked out to bat it was tough and then an hour later there was another tough period but I got through. I was under a bit pressure coming into the game so it was nice to get some runs, especially when the team needed them.”

“You don’t really feel like you’re enjoying it at the time but it was great fun to get through those situations. [Australia’s pace attack] tests you in different ways – not only technically but your heart as well.”