CAXI vs ENG: Dawid Malan's century lifts England ahead of Ashes

Dawid Malan became England's second century-maker as the tourists built a big lead over Cricket Australia XI in the final Ashes warm-up game yesterday

Dawid Malan became England's second century-maker as the tourists built a big lead over Cricket Australia XI in the final Ashes warm-up game yesterday. The Middlesex left-hander converted his overnight 57 into 109 as England amassed a first innings of 515 against the inexperienced local side.

Dawid Malan

By stumps on the penultimate day, the CA XI were 144 runs behind at 121 for three in their second innings, with Jason Sangha and skipper Matt Short batting on 24 and 10 respectively. Joe Root's side, also buoyed by Mark Stoneman's 111 on Thursday, are in firm control and closing in on a big win today ahead of Thursday's first Test against Australia.

But apart from Malan's ton England's lower order fell away losing five wickets for 38 before a last-wicket stand of 58 between Chris Woakes (36) and Mason Crane (25*) took the tourists past 500. Malan played some crisp cover drives and clips off the pads on the way to his 19th first-class century.

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