Dawid Malan has officially retired from international cricket, as confirmed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Wednesday. His impressive career concludes with notable statistics: 1,892 runs in T20 internationals across 62 matches, 1,450 runs in 30 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 1,074 runs in 22 Test matches. Remarkably, he stands as only the second English player, alongside Jos Buttler, to score a century in all three formats of the game.
Malan, who emerged as a late bloomer in professional cricket, made a stunning debut in 2017 during a T20I against South Africa, where he scored 78 runs off just 44 balls. Although his Test career started with promise, he faced challenges and inconsistency. His only Test century came during the 2017-18 Ashes series at the WACA in Perth, amidst a tough series for England.
His prowess in the T20 format, however, established him as a key player for England. In 2020, he achieved the top spot in the ICC Men’s T20I Rankings, becoming the best player in the world. He also made history in 2021 by becoming the fastest player to reach 1,000 runs in T20Is, accomplishing this milestone in just 24 innings. Malan was instrumental in England’s triumph at the 2022 T20 World Cup, further solidifying his legacy.
Reflecting on his career in an interview with the Times, the 37-year-old expressed disappointment over his Test performances, noting that he has not been part of the Test squad since the fifth Ashes Test in Hobart in 2022. “Test cricket was always the pinnacle for me growing up,” he shared. “While I had moments of good play, I struggled with consistency, which was frustrating because I believed I could perform better. However, I exceeded my own expectations in white-ball cricket.”
Malan also acknowledged the significant role played by former captain Eoin Morgan, who provided unwavering support during his tenure. “Eoin was exceptional at blocking out external noise and standing by me,” Malan remarked. “He would reassure me, saying, ‘If there were any issues with your game, I’d be the first to let you know.'”
Malan concludes his international journey, having last represented England in November 2023 during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup against Pakistan.
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