Malan smacks century as England level series in style

Dawid Malan’s maiden T20I century propelled England to a record total and a thumping series-levelling victory over New Zealand in Napier.
The series is now 2-2 and heading for a decider in Auckland thanks in large part to an astonishing partnership between Yorkshire new boy Malan and England skipper Eoin Morgan.
FULL SCORECARD: Fourth T20I – England beat New Zealand by 76 runs
The pair came together at 58/2 in the eighth over and weren’t separated until the final over, by which time they had propelled the score to 240. Malan got to three figures with nine fours and six sixes, while Morgan fell nine short in a swashbuckling 41-ball effort.
182 – Dawid Malan and Eoin Morgan put on 182 together against NZ; it was the biggest stand in a men's T20I for @englandcricket (4th overall). Partners. #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/e3F0mpb2vN
— OptaJim (@OptaJim) November 8, 2019
England’s eventual 241/3 was always going to take some chasing, and Matt Parkinson’s three-wicket burst in his first two overs effectively ended the contest. He finished with 4/47 from his four overs of nervelessly slow legspin, and could have had five or six wickets with better assistance in the field.
Tim Southee had some fun on the same ground where he famously plundered a quick-fire 50 on Test debut against England about a million years ago now, but the result was a formality by then.
Malan had started slowly as he took 19 from his first 18 balls but he needed only a further 31 to reach three figures – becoming the fastest England T20I centurion in the process, beating his only rival – Alex Hales against Sri Lanka in 2014 – by 12 deliveries.
After helping England overhaul their previous T20 best of 230 for eight against South Africa at the 2016 World Twenty20, Malan has immeasurably boosted his hopes of a squad berth in next year’s T20 World Cup in Australia, and also given himself every chance of becoming the first Englishman on this list if he can add to his solitary ODI cap.
Latest
-
News
Sri Lanka v England Day 2: Familiar faces keep England in the hunt at Galle
James Anderson and Joe Root raised the bar in the second Test against Sri Lanka.
-
News
England paceman James Anderson still finding ways to get better
Anderson’s six for 40 was his best performance in Asian conditions.
-
News
Masterful Joe Root leads England fightback against Sri Lanka
The captain was unbeaten on 67 at stumps on day two of the second Test.
-
News
James Anderson leads the way as England bowl Sri Lanka out for 381
Spinners Jack Leach and Dom Bess were left to nurse a combined return of nought for 195 in 64 overs.
-
News
James Anderson lands key wicket but Niroshan Dickwella fights on
England’s record wicket-taker was immediately on the hunt again, finding sharp movement off the pitch to remove Mathews in his first over.
-
News
On this day in 2016: Shivnarine Chanderpaul announces international retirement
Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2008, the West Indies batsman became only the second player to make a double century in his first Test as captain.
-
News
Sri Lanka v England Day One: Anderson and Mathews vie for control in Galle
James Anderson returned figures of three for 24.
-
News
James Anderson reveals nerves on Test return
The England seamer added to his 600 wickets as Sri Lanka finished day one on 229 for four in Galle.
-
News
Alex Hales hits blistering Big Bash century
Hales has been in international exile since a second recreational drug test failure on the eve of England’s triumphant World Cup campaign.
-
News
Angelo Mathews century repels England after James Anderson’s three-wicket burst
The 38-year-old finished with exemplary figures of three for 24 on a surface offering precious little encouragement.