‘Ten minutes in Test cricket can change the game’
England middle-order batsman Dawid Malan was left to rue what might have been a good day for his team as late wickets gave Australia the edge in Sydney.
The fifth Ashes Test was delayed by rain but would settle into a familiar pattern once play got underway.
The top three got starts before giving it away then Malan and skipper Joe Root led a strong rally with a 133 run stand which ended with a reckless shot from the latter.
In the end England would be 233 for 5 at stumps having crossed the 200 mark with just three wickets down and Root and Malan well set.
Malan said after play on day one: “Ten minutes in Test cricket can change the whole game. We knew it was a crucial period but unfortunately Joe got out, and then Bluey [Bairstow].
“I’ve found Josh Hazlewood the toughest to face with his lengths. I feel he nags away with a couple of bouncers. He never really gives you much to drive.”
There have been some close calls at the SCG this arvo! #Ashes #CloseMatters @Gillette pic.twitter.com/b6znCjOr1d
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) January 4, 2018
Malan had a couple of close shaves on day one but managed to survive, the Middlesex man is one of the few England batsmen to improve his reputation on this tour though and he ended unbeaten on 55 having been dropped on 34.
Malan told BT Sports: “It just shows what Test cricket is like.
“I’ve waited long enough to get a shot, so I don’t want to give it away when I get in. It’s a fine line – do you attack or just stick in.
“Thankfully I got away with a few things and I’m still there a the end.”
The feeling of letting things slip reared its ugly head for England yet again with Malan finding it difficult to hide his disappointment.
He said: “It sums up where we’ve been in this series as a whole – we’ve been in good positions and then not been able to put our foot on the throats.”
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