Ashes 2017-18: Dawid Malan stars with century but England collapse against Cricket Australia XI

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DAWID MALAN became the second player in two days to score his first century for England.

The Middlesex left-hander made 109 on day three of England’s match against a Cricket Australia XI following an inning of 111 by Mark Stoneman 24 hours earlier.

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But Somerset all-rounder Craig Overton, pushing for a place in next week’s First Test, was out for nought – his third duck in a row.

Overton’s departure came during a period when England lost six wickets for 77 runs on a pancake-flat pitch against a team of youngsters and fringe players.

It was not a disaster for England but certainly not what they had in mind when they resumed on 337-3 with captain Joe Root and Malan both past fifty.

In the end, England reached 515 all out thanks in no small part to a tenth-wicket stand of 58 between Chris Woakes and Mason Crane.

Moeen was out for just five in his first innings of the tour and will go to Brisbane with virtually no batting practice in the middle.

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Overton’s failure increased the questions for captain Root and head coach Trevor Bayliss, who must choose between Overton and Jake Ball for the No.9 position.

Overton is meant to be the better batsman – but three straight blobs hardly show that. Ball is a superior bowling and was performing well before he suffered an ankle injury in Adelaide last week.

Ball has resumed bowling in the nets and spent 35 overs in the field as 12th man during the Cricket Australia XI’s second innings while Alastair Cook remained on the sidelines with a minor tummy upset.

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By the close of day three, CA were 121-3 with two wickets to Moeen and one to leg-spinner Mason Crane.

Meanwhile, Aussie wicketkeeper Tim Paine admitted he thought his international career might be over before his shock selection for the First Test.

Paine, 32, was named in a 13-man squad for the first two Ashes showdowns seven years after his previous Test appearance.

Asked if he thought his Test career was over, Paine admitted: “I thought it was pretty close, if I’m honest.

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“I’ve been working very hard on my cricket but probably more towards the white ball game. I still thought I could play a fair bit of international cricket with the white ball.

“To have this opportunity now is amazing. I feel I’m ready and can’t wait to make the most of it.”

Paine is chosen ahead of Matthew Wade and Peter Nevill while Cameron Bancroft comes in for his Test debut as opener in place of Matt Renshaw.

Meanwhile Shaun Marsh has been recalled at No.6.