England 287 for 9 (Malan 134, Zampa 3-55, Cummins 3-62) vs Australia
Just four days after their T20 World Cup triumph, England crashed to 66 for 4 in an unsurprisingly lethargic start before Malan’s heroics ensured Australia’s batters have work to do under lights to kick-start the three-match contest.
Malan made a compelling case for a permanent spot after notching his second ODI hundred in the 40th over in a tonic after missing out on England’s title-winning team due to a groin injury.
There were also trademark sweetly-timed cover drives as Malan sparked England, who attempted to rejuvenate with only skipper Jos Buttler, Phil Salt and Chris Jordan part of the XI against Pakistan in the final at the MCG.
He hit four sixes overall before his 128-ball knock ended when he holed out to Zampa in the 46th over.
In front of a sparse Adelaide Oval crowd, Malan posed the first headache for Cummins in his new role as ODI skipper after taking the reins from Aaron Finch, who has retired from the format.
Cummins had enjoyed a strong start to his captaincy after winning the toss and claiming the wickets of Salt and James Vince in a probing new ball spell marked by nagging line and length bowling on a pitch with some movement.
He produced a menacing new ball burst alongside Mitchell Starc as the pumped-up quicks tried to move on from their indifferent performances at the T20 World Cup.
With Josh Hazlewood left out in favour of second spinner Ashton Agar, Starc returned to his customary new ball role having been held back for most of the T20 World Cup leading to his controversial omission against Afghanistan in Adelaide.
Rewarded for his pace and accuracy, Starc troubled returning opener Jason Roy with sharp deliveries angled across before knocking him over with a cracker through the gate in a vintage dismissal.
After a huge lbw shout against Malan in the 10th over, Cummins made the right decision not to review with replays showing the ball fractionally pitching outside leg stump.
Malan then cracked the next ball through the covers for a boundary to foreshadow what was ahead.