Dawid Malan hits magnificent Ashes hundred in Perth

A wonderful maiden Test century from Dawid Malan helped England to a score of 305/4 on day one of the third Ashes Test at the WACA.

Malan ended the day 110 not out after a brilliant unbroken 174-run partnership with Jonny Bairstow (75 not out) to set England off to a promising start in their bid for a dramatic comeback in the series.

Alastair Cook became the first England player ever to reach 150 Test caps before the start of play but was dismissed early after Joe Root won the toss and elected to bat. 

Team News and Toss

England confirmed on the eve of the game that they would play with an unchanged XI from the side that lost the second Test in Adelaide. Despite naming the same team, the Three Lions decided to tweak their batting order, with Jonny Bairstow moving up to six and Moeen Ali pencilled in at seven.

Australia waited until the toss to announce one change to their side, with Mitch Marsh drafted in on his home ground to replace Peter Handscomb.

For the third time in the series, England won the toss and Root, after his controversial decision to bowl in Adelaide, opted to bat first.

Before play, former captain Alastair Cook became the first England player ever to be presented with his 150th Test cap.

Morning 

Cook was unable to mark his 150th Test with a big score as he was trapped lbw for only seven runs by a quick full ball from Mitchell Starc.

England consolidated through Mark Stoneman and James Vince, with the pace of the wicket and outfield allowing the boundaries to flow.

But Vince was dismissed just before lunch for 25 when he edged behind to wicketkeeper Tim Paine off Josh Hazlewood.

Afternoon 

Stoneman reached a well-deserved half-century shortly after the re-start but England were soon pegged back when captain Joe Root was dismissed for 20 in unfortunate circumstances, glancing a loose ball from Pat Cummins down the leg side into Paine's gloves.

The Three Lions suffered a further blow when Stoneman was given out on DRS for 56, with third umpire Aleem Dar judging that he gloved behind to Paine as he attempted to fend off a bouncer from Starc.

Australia's bowlers sensed the chance to rip through England's batting order but Malan and Bairstow steadied the ship to take their team to 175/4 at tea.

Evening

Malan and Bairstow continued to build their partnership in the final session of the day, making the most of the older ball before seeing off Australia's attempts to make a breakthrough with the second new ball at the end of the day.

Malan reached his half-century early in the session and continued to pile on the runs.

The Middlesex man needed a slice of luck when he was dropped at third slip on 92, but he made the most of the let-off and secured his maiden Test century with a pull shot for four off Hazlewood.

He was ably supported by Bairstow, who himself cruised to his half-century and will be eyeing three figures on day two after ending the first day on 75 not out.

Stat of the Day

Alastair Cook is the eighth man ever to play in 150 Tests, and the first Englishman.

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Player of the Day

Easy one this - Dawid Malan. The day was in the balance when Malan and Bairstow joined forces at 131/4 but the pair responded magnificently with a 174 run stand. Malan mixed grit and serenity, was dropped in the 90s, and celebrated his magical moment after a pull shot off Josh Hazlewood. Well played.