'I thought I'd never play another Test again' - Dawid Malan basks in glory after he and Joe Root give England lifeline in Brisbane Test

Being in a position a few months back wherein it seemed that his Test career was over, Dawid Malan found a moment on Friday, December 10 to shrug off these uncertainties. He stood firm on the pitch with skipper Joe Root and stitched in a 159 runs partnership for the third wicket on Day 3 in Brisbane.

Malan was drafted into the Test setup during England’s home series against India to provide stability to the team’s top order. He then managed to hold his spot for the high-profile Ashes as well. On a hot day at the Gabba, the batter faced one of the lethal bowling attacks and expressed his gratefulness to be able to play Test cricket again.

“I thought I’d never play another Test again. I actually said to Root when we were on 40 or 50… we both had similar scores… ‘I’ve really missed this.’ The Barmy Army were singing, the crowd was going and your adrenaline was going (too). I’ve missed having someone trying to blow my head off all the time. You are playing against the best bowlers going around. It’s good fun. It’s really good fun,” Malan said after Stumps on Day 3.

Test cricket is the pinnacle for me: Dawid Malan

Malan remained unbeaten on 80 runs at stumps on day three as England trail by 58 runs. Post the match, Malan reckoned that one can do well in other formats but a player is judged on the basis of his Test career primarily. He further added that playing the Ashes against a quality side is the real test.

“Test cricket is the pinnacle for me. You can do as well as you want in T20 cricket, 50-over cricket, or whatever other format you like, but you’re judged a lot by your Test career. To come to Australia and play against quality fast bowlers on these bouncing wickets is the real test.

For us, an Ashes series is the biggest series on our calendar. To come here and get runs against this really good attack is very satisfying. I’m so proud to be able to stand out here in an England shirt. Especially to do it here at the Gabba in front of everyone,” Malan added.