THE ANALYST: James Vince is not a Test player

Editor Simon Hughes reports from Perth

Another failure for Cook

Alastair Cook is a worry. After his dismissal today he is now averaging 13 in this series. More worrying is the way he’s been out. Today lbw to a straight half volley that a year ago he would have clipped through midwicket.

Is was quick - 92mph - but he was disturbingly late on it as he has been a number of times recently hooking (to Chris Morris at Trent Bridge for example) and also catching - he has dropped a number of  catches at slip in the last year.

Cook practises as hard as ever, he was diligently at it longer than anyone yesterday, but he is obviously struggling and the Aussie quicks are gunning for him.  He is only 33 (on Christmas Day) but the commitment involved in playing 150 Tests is beginning to take its toll.

Vince is not a Test player

He looks classy, he seems to have time. But his concentration is faulty and he can’t be relied upon. He has made the same mistake too many times. Today he left a succession of deliveries from the excellent Josh Hazlewood who on this pitch you can leave on length.

Then unaccountably two balls before lunch he pushed at one and was caught behind. It was a nothing shot that would not have earned him any runs. It undid any good work he had done previously. Again.

Malan stands tall

Who would have guessed a year ago that Dawid Malan would make an Ashes century in Perth? He showed the makings of his quality on his international debut - a T20 match at Cardiff. He slotted his first ball over deep midwicket in that match and went on to make a polished 78.

He has dedicated himself to the crease since then and went into bat here on the dismissal of Root with Stoneman having a torrid time at the other end. Vitally he swayed out of the way of some serious bouncers from Pat Cummins, calmly built a foundation to his innings, and unfurled some beautiful off drives and used his feet excellently to Lyon.

He had some luck, he should have been run out, saw a miscued hook fall safe, got a six off a top edge and was dropped at slip on 92. But for his composure, style and four hours of concentration he richly deserved his maiden Test hundred.

MORE FROM THE CRICKETER: Cook's 35,000 minutes at the crease is remarkable... but what matters now is runs