Middlesex batsman Dawid Malan: We must take early Warwickshire wickets

Dawid Malan scored a wonderful century for Middlesex against Warwickshire. Picture: Anthony Devlin/PA Archive

by Tom Moore Thursday, August 2, 2012
8:37 AM

Middlesex lost four quick wickets to the second new ball and will look to exact their revenge when they are given the chance later today

Middlesex batsman Dawid Malan believes that the new ball will be vital as his side look to claim maximum points against Warwickshire.

The number four batsman scored a magnificent century and was given support from Joe Denly who was desperately unlucky to be given out LBW five runs short of a deserved century.

But the home side lost four wickets, including that of Malan, for five runs to the second new ball to slip from 285-3 to 324-7 by the close and the Middlesex bowlers will have taken note.

“I think as the new ball got softer it didn’t nip as much and the bounce was not as variable,” Malan said.

“There was a bit more tennis bally bounce and the odd one nipped a bit.

“It was hard for blokes first up on that wicket.”

That late burst of wickets tarnished what had been a great day for Middlesex and Warwickshire will feel they are slightly ahead of the game as Uxbridge tracks tend to favour the batting side.

“We let it slip a little bit by losing one or two wickets too many,” Malan added.

“They bowled very well with the second new ball. Some of the balls were half decent. All credit to them.”

“It wasn’t doing stupid things. If you get in you can get a score.

“As it proved, if you’re walking in and the bowlers are bowling in good areas then you can struggle.

“Joe Denly (95) played every so well as well.

“There is enough in it for bat and ball. Ideally we’d like to get to 370-380.

“We’ve got Crooky and Tim Murtagh to come in.

“We can get into a good position if we bowl well on this wicket.”

Middlesex star Eoin Morgan agrees that his side still look to be in a good position but Warwickshire have wrestled back the momentum.

“I think we’re still not in a bad position at the end of the day,” the England Lions captain told London24.

“The batsmen played really well. It did a bit towards the end and Warwickshire stole back the momentum.

“Their guys bowled well with the new ball. It was tough, we’d have liked to have lost less wickets.”

Malan was the star of the show and was naturally delighted after scoring his first Championship century of the new season but the 24-year-old was disappointed with the way he was dismissed.

“I’m a bit disappointed with the way I got out at the end, especially the way I did,” he explained.

“It was a soft dismissal but to score the first century of the year I’m over the moon.

“I struggled early on this season but I’m finding form as the wickets get harder.

“Whether it’s the way I play. If I knew, I’d be scoring hundreds earlier.”