Malan's maiden century and Stoneman's struggles

Malan's Maiden century

David Malan scored the first century of the series for England. It was his maiden Test century and the first for England against Australia in Australia since Ben Stokes made 120 at Perth in 2013. This is also England's first century at No.5 in 25 innings. Previously Moeen Ali scored 111 against India at Rajkot in November 2016. Malan also became the tenth batsmen from England to score a century at the WACA. Incidentally eight of those centuries were scored by left-handers.

Hundred partnership

Before today, England's only century partnership of the series had been the second-wicket stand of 125 between James Vince and Mark Stoneman on the first day of the first Test in Brisbane. Jonny Bairstow and David Malan doubled that tally with an unbeaten 174, which was also their first fifth-wicket century stand in Australia since 2010-11. England managed to score more than 250 without losing more than five wickets, the first time they had managed this in Australia since the fourth Test at Melbourne in 2010-11. Bairstow and Malan ensured England reached the close on 305 for 4 - the most they have scored on the opening day of a Test in Australia since 2002-03 when they made 295 for 4 at Adelaide .

Match-ups

Throughout this series, Australia have tended to bring on specific bowlers to target incoming batsmen, a policy that has worked well so far for the home side. Nathan Lyon has dismissed Moeen Ali on four occasions while Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have dismissed Joe Root, Mark Stoneman and James Vince on three occasions respectively.

Stoneman's struggles

England went to lunch with a handy platform at 91 for 2. However, the post-lunch session went Australia's way when they picked two more wickets and conceded 84 runs. The highlight of this session was Australia's plan to bowl short. England were not in control of 29% of the deliveries bowled in this session. Stoneman, in particular, was made to struggle against the short ball, and was not in control of 17 of the 41 deliveries bowled at him that were either short or short of a good length. Although 40 of Stoneman's 56 runs came in boundaries, he was in control only 72% of the time in his innings. He especially struggled against Hazlewood, facing 36 dots from 42 balls. Finally, he was dismissed to a short ball from Starc.