MUIR TO CAPITAL

STEPHEN MAGUIRE eased into the quarter-finals of the Scottish Open last night, beating Xu Si of China 4-1.

The Scot’s victory was his second of the day at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow after he defeated another Chinese star, Yan Bingtao, 4-3.

In-form Maguire, who reached the semi-finals of the UK Championship last weekend, lost the opening frame to Si in his evening match but responded with a break of 81 to level before going on to win three in a row to reach the last eight.

Ronnie O’Sullivan, who beat the Scot on his way to winning the UK in York, is also through to the quarter-finals after he followed a 4-3 win over Li Hang with a 4-1 success against Michael White. LAURA MUIR is set to kick off 2018 in Holyrood Park as the headline act at the Great Edinburgh XCountry.

The double European indoor champion, who helped the UK to victory in the 4x1000m relay 11 months ago, is part of a 34-strong home team that will face Team Europe and Team USA over four races on January 13.

The line up also includes European U20 champion Harriet Knowles-Jones plus Scots Mhairi MacLennan and Erin Wallace.

However, Andy Butchart has opted out of the event with the Olympic finalist deciding to start his campaign indoors in the USA before competing at the Muller Grand Prix.

European cross-country champions Kaan Kigen Ozbilen and Yasemin Can have been confirmed in Team Europe’s squad. DAWID MALAN enjoyed the pace barrage he faced on his way to a maiden 100 to breathe life into England’s Ashes campaign.

Malan ended up unbeaten on 110 as England reached 305 for four on the first day of the third Test in Perth.

But the 30-year-old didn’t know what to do with himself when he reached his century.

Malan joined Mark Stoneman at the crease with Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc cranking the pace well above 90mph on a bouncy pitch.

He had seen Stoneman hit on the helmet by Starc, then found out first hand how tough it was as he laid the platform for an unbroken stand of 174 with Jonny Bairstow (75no).

Malan said: “It was fun, the pace these guys come with and the short ball.”

He has now convinced himself he is up to Test cricket and demonstrated England may yet be able to battle back from 2-0 down with three to play.

Malan added: “With anything, you must prove to yourself you belong.

“I might never get a run again in Test cricket but you still have that belief which is what you need to play at the top level.”