Dawid Malan's Middlesex rescue act is a timely reminder to England Test selectors

Up and running: Dawid Malan chalked up his first century of the new season
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Will Macpherson9 April 2019

Dawid Malan could not hide his satisfaction after knuckling down for an unbeaten 160 to save Middlesex in front of national selector Ed Smith, who unceremoniously dropped him from England’s Test team last summer.

Smith had said he believed Malan was better suited to batting in overseas conditions — he has an Ashes century at Perth — but saw the Middlesex captain defy a decent Northamptonshire attack to secure a draw in the opening game of the season. Smith was at Wantage Road alongside Andy Flower, who runs the Lions programme.

Malan had come to the crease with Middlesex following on and 10 for two — still 164 behind — and batted more than six hours for 160 not out, including substantial partnerships with Sam Robson, Max Holden and Eoin Morgan. He says the innings has given him belief that he can win his Test place back.

“It was nice to do it in front of him!” said Malan. “I only saw them when I came in at lunch. To do it so early in the season was fantastic and has given me confidence after a tough year. I like proving points and hopefully scored runs that would please them.

“I think there are eight games before the Ashes and if you can score three or four hundreds you never know,” he said. “I’m trying not to think about that at the moment, I’m trying to focus on Middlesex. I took my eye off the ball a few times last year, worrying and looking too far ahead.”

Despite the relief of saving the game, Malan and new head coach Stuart Law were in agreement that Middlesex would have to be significantly better come Thursday, when they host relegated Lancashire. They come armed with James Anderson and Graham Onions – wily old foxes who will exploit any movement on offer.

“Against that attack with that experience we have to be better than we were this game and last year,” Malan added. “As batsmen we have to step it up.

“You can preach about fight and how we should be playing, but you have to do it yourself. If you demand these things then do it — at least you can say follow in my footsteps.”

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