Malan helped England past the 200 mark on the first day of the Waca Test Paul Kane/Getty ImagesDawid Malan’s fourth Test fifty for England eased the nerves for the touring side as they responded to the loss of four wickets on the opening day of the third Ashes Test in Perth. Malan, the left-hander, pushed on in century partnership with Jonny Bairstow, the wicketkeeper, after Joe Root won the toss and chose to bat in a Test that England cannot afford to lose if they are to win this series. Malan came to the crease to join Mark Stoneman, England’s other half-centurion of the day, before the opener was dismissed controversially for 56, caught behind by Tim Paine off the bowling of Mitchell Starc following a review. It left England in a precarious spot: 131 for four with Root, the captain, already…

Source: The Times December 14, 2017 07:38 UTC