Malan admits he thought Test cricket had passed him by

BRISBANE, Australia - England number three Dawid

Malan admitted Friday that he thought his Test cricket career was over before
his recall to the team earlier this year.

   The 34-year-old South African-born Malan was speaking after his gritty 80
not out in England's second innings against Australia in the first Ashes Test
at the Gabba.

   Malan and England captain Joe Root (86 not out) put on an unbeaten 159-run
partnership to guide the visitors to 220-2 at the close of the third day and
give themselves hope of salvaging at least a draw.

   It would be a remarkable achievement considering they were bowled out for
147 in their first innings, then watched as Australia made 425, a lead of 278
runs.

   Malan batted for almost two sessions on a blazing hot Brisbane day, but
said he enjoyed every minute of it.

   "Test cricket is the pinnacle for me," he said.

   "You can do as well as you want in T20 or 50-over cricket, but you are
judged by your Test career at the end of it.

   "So to come to Australia -- to come on these bouncy wickets against these
fast bowlers, that's the test, especially for us in an Ashes series."

   Malan is playing his 18th Test match since making his debut against South
Africa in 2017.

   He played 14 Tests in 2017 and 2018, but did not play any more until being
recalled against India in August this year.

   "I thought I would never play another Test again," he conceded.

   "I said to 'Rootie' when we were both on 40 or 50 -- the Barmy Army was
singing and I said to him I've really missed this -- someone trying to blow
my head off, and the crowd going, and the adrenaline flowing, and playing
against the best bowlers going around.

   "So to be able to stand out there and wear an England shirt makes me so
proud. "It's good fun, really good fun."BSS/AFP