MIKE DICKSON

DEBUTANT Dawid Malan was skittled for just one run in spectacular fashion as England fought hard on an absorbing first day of the third Test. Malan was beaten all ends up by a howitzer of an inswinging yorker from Kagiso Rabada as South Africa reduced the hosts to 120 for four. But England, inspired by Alastair Cook’s 82 not out, ended day one on 171 for four with honours just about even. Another debutant, Essex’s Tom Westley, made a composed 25. Westley said: ‘Cooky got a brilliant 80 and hopefully he can kick on. If we can get runs on the board, our bowlers could put us in a good position.’

ENGLAND debutant Tom Westley praised the brilliant innings of his Essex team-mate Alastair Cook in keeping South Africa’s bowlers at bay. Cook was at his best as he made an unbeaten 82, although that hardly came as a surprise to Westley, who calmly did the hard work in getting to 25 before being caught in the slips after lunch. ‘The way he has played today shows that you can score runs on that wicket,’ said Westley, one of three England debutants. ‘I think it’s encouraging if we can get runs on the board. ‘He got a brilliant 80 and hopefully he can kick on tomorrow. It just shows what you can do if you work hard, because it nipped around and swung. ‘Cooky fought through that and that’s one of his best qualities, he works hard for his runs, he’s determined.’ And Westley felt he could not have had a better partner for his maiden Test. ‘He’s very calm at the crease,’ he said. ‘It was quite an emotional day, getting my cap and then starting really well and feeling good at the crease. ‘Getting out after lunch was bitterly disappointing.’ Meanwhile, Cricket Australia is seeking arbitration in a bid to resolve the pay row with players which threatens the Ashes. With 230 Australian cricketers effectively unemployed since June, CA want to bring in an outside adjudicator to resolve the dispute.