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BSP-05
CRICKET-AUS-ENG-MALAN
England won’t roll over in ‘dead’ Tests – Malan
MELBOURNE, Dec 22, 2017 (BSS/AFP) – In-form batsman Dawid Malan says the
Ashes may be gone but England must remain aggressive in the final two Tests
against Australia.
Australia reclaimed the Ashes urn with an emphatic innings victory in the
Perth Test earlier this week, condemning the remaining Melbourne and Sydney
Tests to dead rubbers in the five-Test series.
But Malan, who is the best performing of the tourists’ batsmen with 302
runs at an average of 50.33, said despite the series being lost, pride was at
stake.
“I believe we need to be as aggressive with these guys as they are with
us,” he told reporters ahead of the fourth Test in Melbourne, starting on
Boxing Day.
“If you ever take your foot off the gas with these blokes, they seem to
really dominate. “I think batting, bowling or fielding we have to be
aggressive. One little mistake out here, and these guys seem to pounce on
it,” added Malan.
“You have to be mentally strong. It is a tough place, but it is as tough
as you make it.”
The Middlesex left-hander, who scored his maiden Test century with 140 in
Perth, said England had their moments during the series, but have not
sustained them.
“You can look back at all three Test matches and say we were in the
driving seat for two or maybe three days,” he said.
“It’s just those crucial moments — one session a game we’ve lost and just
fallen away.
“It is disappointing we’ve got nothing to play for in terms of the Ashes
but the pride of our players will want to make this 3-2 and we want to show
we can perform out here.”
He added that England remained united on what has been a miserable tour.
“No one is feeling sorry for themselves, blaming people or anything like
that,” he said.
“We hold our hands up and we need to improve. None of us are the finished
article. It’s not through lack of trying.”
BSS/AFP/MR/1204 hrs