Dawid Malan scored his maiden Test century in an unbeaten 174-run partnership with Jonny Bairstow which saved England from a dreadful start to the third Test in Perth.
The pair took England from 131-4 to 305-4 by stumps on day one in Perth, after the visitors’ top four was slaughtered by the Australian pace attack.
England survived the initial blows by Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, who teamed up to peg the visitors back at 89-2 after 25.3 overs, thanks to a resilient Mark Stoneman who reached his third half-century.
The 30-year-old looked in good touch for his 110-ball 56, but could not survive Starc’s wrath as he banged in a lethal bouncer which brushed his gloves in his attempt to leave the delivery with raised hands. Marais Erasmus’ original call was not out, but Australia reviewed the decision and Aleem Dar provided the confirmation, picking up a ripple on Snicko to end Stoneman’s gutsy knock.
It was all England from there on out. Malan (110) led his side’s recovery to reach his century in 159 balls (thirteen fours, one six), accompanied by Bairstow (75 off 149) as England ended day one on 305-4.
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