Malan hits ton after final heartbreak... but can’t save England

ENGlAND’S double World Cup winners returned to earth in the first one-day international against Australia — but not before Dawid Malan elbowed his way into contention for the 50- over title defence in India next year.

Malan (below) hit a superb 134 off 128 balls in England’s six-wicket defeat in Adelaide, then said he had been in tears after missing Sunday’s T20 final against Pakistan in Melbourne — despite shaking off the groin injury that had ruled him out of the semi-final against India.

‘Not being able to play the final was probably one of the toughest days I’ve ever had as a cricketer,’ he said. ‘That’s what sport’s like. It’s cruel sometimes.

‘Understandably, the decision was taken not to risk Mark Wood and me, even though we had done what was needed. I had a few tears that night. You never know how many World Cup finals you are going to be a part of.

‘ But to be fit and perform like I did here is extremely satisfying after the disappointment of last week — disappointment, but also the massive excitement and elation of winning that World Cup.’

This game, the first of three ODIs against the Australians, was always unlikely to get England’s adrenaline pumping, with captain Jos Buttler one of just three survivors — with Phil Salt and Chris Jordan — from the T20 final.

But from 66 for four, then 118 for five, Malan raised the collective pulse with England’s highest oneday score at Adelaide, giving Buttler and coach Matthew Mott food for thought with the one-day World Cup less than 12 months away. Until now, he has been seen as a one- day understudy to Joe Root, but the way he took charge of England’s faltering effort suggested this team may find room for both. Malan could even open, or slot in at No 4.

Two leg- side sixes in successive overs off Australia’s new ODI captain Pat Cummins were shots of the highest class, and he now averages a tick under 65 in the 10 on-off games he has played.

A full- strength Australian team were keen to make their own point after their T20 title defence fell flat on home soil. David Warner and Steve Smith made eighties, and opener Travis head 69, as they breezed past England’s eventual 287 for nine — even if they were helped by an attack that barely qualified as a C-team.

lancashire left-arm seamer luke Wood was on his ODI debut, and spinner liam Dawson and fast bowler Olly Stone were playing their first game in the format for four years. Jordan had not appeared in an ODI for two and a half years, and even Willey, the closest to a regular, feels a peripheral figure in the one-day squad. On a pristine surface, they all struggled.

Earlier, Jason Roy scored just six before he was beaten by a Mitchell Starc inswinger on his return to international cricket after being dropped for the World Cup, and James Vince only five. The second ODI starts in Sydney early tomorrow morning.