Perth: Dawid Malan (110 batting, 174b, 15×4, 1×6) struck England’s first century of this year’s Ashes series as the tourists saw off Australia’s marauding pace attack to emerge on top of an enthralling first day of the third Test at the WACA here Thursday.

The middle order batsman’s unbeaten ton anchored a flourishing 174-run stand with wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow (75 batting, 149b, 10×4), the pair pushing England to 305 for four at the close of a glorious day in Perth.

Criticised for electing to bowl in the second Test defeat in Adelaide, Root was rewarded this time with three of his batsmen passing 50.

Australia’s pacemen were generally superb through much of the day and breathed fire in some hostile spells before the tea interval, but the quicks were let down in the field by three dropped catches.

The last of them reprieved lefthander Malan on 92 off the first delivery with the second new ball from a frustrated Mitchell Starc (2/79) late in the day.

Bairstow, however played a fine support role to Malan. The pair came together with England 115 for three just after lunch and their ability to survive for nearly two sessions have surely inspired Root’s team as the Ashes holders seek to claw back from a 2-0 deficit in the five-match series.

Opener Mark Stoneman (56, 110b, 10×4) was out for 56, having twice been dropped after reaching his second half-century of the series. Root (20) was out softly, caught down the legside by wicketkeeper Tim Paine followed by Stoneman who had to go back due to some controversial circumstances. James Vince (25) made a 63-run stand with Stoneman before being caught behind off Hazlewood before lunch.

Brief scores: England 305/4 (Dawid Malan 110 batting, Jonny Bairstow 75 batting, Mark Stoneman 56; Mitchell Starc 2/79) vs Australia. Match to continue.

reuters