UTV | COLOMBO – England middle-order batsman Dawid Malan scored an unbeaten 110, his maiden Test ton, and helped England reach 305 for 4 at stumps on day 1 of 3rd Ashes Test in WACA today (14).
Malan added unbroken 174 runs for the 5th wicket with Jonny Bairstow who was 75 not out at stumps.
Malan, who reached triple figures in the final 20 minutes of the day after being reprieved on 92 by Bancroft, is the first Englishman to score a century this series.
England has never lost at the WACA when they have made 300 in their first innings.
At one stage, the visitors were on 131 for 4.
Mark Stoneman made 56.
No player felt the heat more than England opener Mark Stoneman, who lost his bat, his helmet and his wicket.
Although seldom at ease, the former Sydney grade cricket regular enhanced his reputation as a fighter, withstanding some hostile pace bowling to strike a brave 56.
It was a half-century well earned, coming at the cost of one broken bat handle and a helmet at the hands of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood respectively.
The second blow, which sent his stem guard flying, was of more concern with several members of the Australian team coming to his immediate aid.
Although Stoneman, on 52, was cleared to play on by England’s medical staff he then batted like a man who was seeing double.
No sooner had he re-gathered his composure, he copped a searing lifter next ball which found his edge but not the hands of Nathan Lyon despite his desperate dive.
It was no surprise a short ball, which clipped his right glove and was taken by Paine, ended his stay though his dismissal via DRS upset Root, who punched the dressing-room door in anger.
Stoneman was initially given not out by Marais Erasmus only for it to be controversially overturned by video umpire Aleem Dar.
The correct verdict was ultimately reached, though questions were raised whether he followed the correct protocol with evidence from Snicko and Hot Spot appearing inconclusive.
It took a different angle made available after Stoneman had left the field to support his decision.
Joe Root scored 20 while James Vince made 25.
Former captain Alastair Cook could not last long and he made only 7 runs in his 150th Test.
