Malan’s century was the first of his Test career and the first by an England player in this series Trevor Collens/AP“At least you know you’re alive,” was Justin Langer’s pre-match assessment of the occupational hazard of facing a fast bowler, down wind, at the Waca. For two hours either side of lunch today, as a superb, if at times raw day’s cricket unfolded at a venue that did not disappoint on its last Ashes hurrah, England’s batsmen knew exactly what he meant. They were living, for sure, but precariously, with senses heightened, physical danger lurking and the oldest requirement in top-class sport — courage — a fundamental requirement. For spectators it added an extra dimension to the occasionally attritional cricket witnessed so far in the series. For England’s batsmen, it was the ultimate examination, facing quick bowlers on a pitch infused with a little of the old…

Source: The Times December 14, 2017 11:15 UTC