MALAN SMASHES STUNNING CENTURY

ENGLAND PILE ON RUNS BEFORE TOPLEY GRABS THREE QUICK WICKETS

- Malik Ouzia

DAWID MALAN’S first World Cup hundred this morning led England’s charge as they bounced back to form with the bat against Bangladesh in Dharamsala. 

Having been routed by nine wickets in their opening-day defeat by New Zealand, Jos Buttler’s side were in need of an immediate response and got it, with Malan’s 140 from just 107 balls helping to set a commanding total of 364 for nine.

That was England’s third-highest score in World Cups, but it ought really to have been more, Buttler’s men looking set to threaten the 400-mark before a late fightback from Bangladesh’s bowlers limited the damage.

Half-centuries from Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root, both of whom shared hundred partnerships with Malan, had laid the ideal platform, but having been 292 for two in the 40th over, England lost regular wickets while trying to muster a grandstand finish, as Mahedi Hasan (four for 71) and Shoriful Islam (three for 75) held their nerve.