Ashes in a nutshell: All you need to know from day one in Perth

Dawid Malan’s maiden Test century put England in control after day one, while Mark Stoneman was involved in a controversial dismissal. Here’s all you need to know from the opening day of the Perth Test…

REPORT

Dawid Malan hit his maiden Test match century as England made a strong start to the crucial third Ashes Test in Perth, closing on 305-4.

WHAT THEY SAID

Dawid Malan: "I have felt pretty comfortable in games and it was about making sure that when I got in I was ruthless enough to get through those tough periods," said Malan, who came in with England 115-3 in the 33rd over following the exits of Alastair Cook (7), James Vince (25) and Joe Root (20).

"Every time you open the newspaper, you read how poor you are – it is nice to tick a box and prove to yourself that you can play at this level and that you can score hundreds. That’s how you get rated.

"It was so emotional – I didn’t know what to do when I reached a hundred, I almost started crying. To do it in front of [my parents] who have made so many sacrifices [was pleasing].

"I haven’t felt like I was going to get out at any point – I have just given it away or got a good ball in other innings.

"When I walked out to bat it was tough and then an hour later there was another tough period but I got through. I was under a bit of pressure coming into the game so it was nice to get some runs, especially when the team needed them.

"You don’t really feel like you’re enjoying it at the time but it was great fun to get through those situations. [Australia’s pace attack] tests you in different ways – not only technically but your heart as well."

Tim Paine, speaking to BT Sport: "The wicket is really good so we can take some confidence out of that but they played really well. We let ourselves down a bit with our catching but credit to England, they had a good day.

"We’re confident that if we can come out tomorrow and take two quick wickets, we’ve seen what we can do to their bottom four in the first two Tests and we can turn it around pretty quickly."

MOMENT OF THE DAY

The big talking point of the day was Mark Stoneman’s dismissal in the afternoon session. The Surrey left-hander made 56 before a controversial not-out decision for caught behind off Mitchell Starc was overturned by third umpire Aleem Dar.

Starc produced a snorter of a short delivery and there was a noise as the ball flashed past Stoneman’s gloves on the way through to Tim Paine, who held on to an excellent catch.

Umpire Marais Erasmus turned down Australia’s appeal but Steve Smith asked to review the decision and third umpire Dar deemed there to be enough conclusive evidence for the decision to be reversed despite Snicko and hotspot suggesting the ball clipped Stoneman’s glove when his hand was off the bat.

The decision left England furious with Joe Root gesturing to Stoneman to stay on the field but the controversial decision stood. TV replays later showed the ball may have brushed the front glove but those angles were not asked for by Dar as he made his call.

TWEET OF THE DAY

It’s fair to say former Australia leg-spinner Stuart MacGill didn’t agree with the third umpire’s decision…

Former England seamer Graham Onions was pleased with England’s day, praising Malan’s knock…

THE KEY DEBATE

WATCH: ATHERS’ ASHES REVIEW

(c) Sky News 2017: Ashes in a nutshell: All you need to know from day one in Perth