'No name' Malan puts stamp on WACA Test

It is less than five months since Dawid Malan was humiliated on his Test debut by a yorker from Kagiso Rabada that left him on his hands and knees. 

But on a day when England’s Ashes chances were on the line, he stood tall to deliver their first century of this series.

Malan was one of the 'no-name' players mocked when England first landed in Australia back in late October. 

Indeed, he had never even been to the country before despite playing professional cricket for 11 years.

However, the locals certainly know his name now following a maiden Test century that might have just revived this Magellan Ashes series after his unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 174 with Jonny Bairstow took the tourists to stumps on 4-305 on the first day of the third Test.

"Whether you’re talked about as a no name or they know your name, it’s always nice to score a hundred for your country to put the doubts to bed," Malan said. "From an inside the tent point of view, I’ve never felt under pressure, I’ve had the backing of the coaches and the captain. 

"It’s just every time you open the newspaper you read how poor you are and how bad you are. 

"So, it is nice to tick a box and prove to yourself you can play at this level and you can score hundreds."

The 30-year-old No.5 batsman admitted he never thought he would find his feet in Test cricket after a nightmare introduction against South Africa at The Oval, Malan left prostrate on the turf after that Rabada delivery saw him dismissed for one in his only innings. 

At the end of the series, having played the final two Tests,  Malan had just 35 runs at an average of 8.75.

"It does seem a long time ago," he said. "After those first two games, I didn’t think I’d ever score a run in Test cricket to be honest. It was quite tough facing that and luckily I’ve found a way and adjusted a little bit here and there to work it in Test cricket. 

"I’ve faced a lot of balls in this series, I just haven’t got the runs to show for it. 

"Thankfully today was my day and I managed to capitalise on it." 

Speaking at the start of the tour, Malan revealed he had been badly out of form when initially picked for Test cricket in July. He had scored an impressive and aggressive 78 on his international debut – a T20 against South Africa in Cardiff. 

But less than a month later, he was pitched into Test cricket on the back of that one knock and initially struggled against a high-class South Africa attack.

He did manage two half-centuries in the next series against West Indies but these were ugly, almost painful-to-watch innings. Malan looked out of his depth, ending the northern summer with an average of 23.62 from five Tests. 

He was lucky to find himself selected for this Ashes tour.

Yet adjustments to his technique – he had developed bad habits when out of form – have seen him flourish in Australia, with scores of 56, 63 and 109 in England’s three tour matches followed by a half-century in the opening Ashes Test at the Gabba.

This latest innings, though, is the highlight of his career so far and proof that, after his initial struggles, he has what it takes to prosper as a Test batsman.

Struggling through that bad run of form and still managing to produce two scores during a tough baptism in Test cricket also proved he has what it takes mentally to make it at the highest level.

Malan may eventually find his way up to No.3 in England’s order, James Vince’s latest flighty edge on day one in Perth – the eighth time in 11 Test innings he has been caught behind the wicket – putting his position at first drop under serious pressure.

Malan’s first name may sound Welsh but in fact that – and his accent – has distinctly Afrikaaner roots. 

The Middlesex batsman was born in Roehampton, West London, but moved to Cape Town aged seven when his South African father, a dentist also named Dawid, decided to move the family back to his homeland.

Those South African links means Malan has spent almost every winter there and, as a result, had never been to, let alone played cricket, in Australia before this tour.

"It’s my first time in Australia yes," he said. "It is unusual. But I grew up in South Africa and when you weigh up the options over a winter going to South Africa with gyms, facilities and coaches that you work with is good."

Both parents, dad Dawid and mum Janet, who is English, were at the WACA Ground to witness Malan’s breakthrough moment after travelling over from South Africa. It made the achievement almost too much for Dawid junior.

"It was so emotional," he said. "I didn’t know what to do. I almost started crying when it happened. The amount of sacrifices my old man and mother have made along the way, it’s nice to repay them."

The same could be said for England’s selectors, who could easily have discarded Malan after his poor debut home Test summer. 

But they have been rewarded in spectacular fashion by a player who now looks set for a promising Test career.

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird.

England Test squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson (vc), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes.

First Test Australia won by 10 wickets. Scorecard

Second Test Australia won by 120 runs (Day-Night). Scorecard

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Tickets

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

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets

Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets

Prime Minister's XI

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

Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets

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

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