Malan shakes malaise to make Ashes case

The majority of the runs that have moved England into an impregnable position in this first Test against the West Indies have been scored by the twin centurions in Joe Root and Alastair Cook.

However, the most significant contribution looking ahead to the Ashes may be the 65 posted by Dawid Malan on day two here in Birmingham.

Cook's 243, his fourth Test double hundred, followed captain Root's 136 on day one and helped England to a first-innings total of 8-514 declared. West Indies, struggling on 1-44 before rain brought a premature conclusion to the second day's play, will be lucky to escape without a defeat unless the weather intervenes again.

Malan, though, will have mixed feelings about an innings that brought an end to his disappointing start to life in Test cricket but also promised so much more.

Image Id: E62E7E0FEEF948849D28CC35B5FD0C31 Image Caption: Malan's first Test fifty came in his fifth match // Getty

Had the Middlesex batsman reached three figures his place on the plane for the Ashes tour would have been more or less booked.

The fact he threw away an opportunity to do just that will nag away at those who doubt his ability to succeed in the No5 position against the very best bowling attacks.

South Africa are definitely one of those and Malan struggled badly in his first two Tests. England may have won both to claim a 3-1 series victory but Malan, with just 35 runs in his first four innings at an average of 8.75, must have felt like an imposter during the post-series celebrations.

Image Id: 23A5EA1EAAB34828AA0153A9178B2FB7 Image Caption: The batsman had a torrid time against South Africa // Getty

Born in west London but brought up in South Africa, Malan probably feels much like an outsider anyway.

Yet his maiden Test half-century was a landmark moment in his England career and the composure he showed, including one glorious cover drive off Alzarri Joseph that saw him move onto 48, suggests he may remain at No5 in England's batting order for the first Ashes Test at Brisbane in November.

Malan had made a stunning international debut back in June when he struck a magnificent 78 in a T20 against South Africa in Cardiff.

The temperament he showed then pretty much helped seal the deal in terms of his Test selection for the final two Tests of the series against South Africa.

And the 29-year-old, lucky to remain in the team for this first Test against West Indies, admitted the innings he produced here was timely.

"I needed that to be fair," he said. "I didn't look like scoring a run against South Africa so it was nice to hit a few in the middle and feel a bit more composed at the crease.

"In the back of my mind I always knew it was going to turn around. Fortunately, it happened tonight. It was nice to have a meaningful contribution."

Image Id: 82ABE35E578E44CF88F609B837066ABF Image Caption: Malan hit 10 boundaries in his 139-ball knock of 65 // Getty

Malan knows having Cook at the other helped him, the former England captain showing ominous form ahead of the Ashes as he ground down an admittedly weak West Indies attack during an innings that spanned nine hours and 22 minutes.

"He gave me a batting masterclass," said Malan. "It was the best seat in the house to watch him bat and compose his innings. To see him score 243, whether it's a good wicket or not, is a fantastic achievement.

"Throughout his innings he was so disciplined. He didn't stray once from the first over of the match to the over he got out.

"For a young player coming into international cricket, to watch how a master goes to work and compiles his runs shows you what you need to do to be successful at this level. He's a fantastic player."

Image Id: 6C2296F1314B424E865C5F8D5CE11D50 Image Caption: Cook and Malan added 162 for the fourth wicket // Getty

As for the Ashes, Malan is not letting himself get too excited about the prospect of travelling to Australia.

"I'm not thinking that far ahead, especially after the last series," he said. "My goal is to have as good a series as I can here because you never know when your last game is going to be.

"I want to build on what I've done tonight and be as consistent as I can for the next two games. If then the call comes and I'm on that plane to Australia that would be a fantastic experience."

The odds now look heavily in favour of that coming to pass.

2017-18 International Fixtures:

Magellan Ashes Series

First Test Gabba, November 23-27. Buy tickets

Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night). Buy tickets

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Buy tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Buy tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Buy tickets

ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Buy tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Buy tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Buy tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Buy tickets

Fifth ODI Perth TBC, January 28. Join the ACF

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Buy tickets

T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Buy tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Buy tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Buy tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21