Dawid Malan expressed immense gratitude for the opportunity to represent England across all formats since his debut in July 2017.
Dawid Malan, once England’s top-ranked T20I batter, has officially retired from international cricket at the age of 37. Malan, who enjoyed a versatile career with 22 Tests, 30 ODIs, and 62 T20Is to his name, leaves behind a legacy as one of only two England men’s players, alongside Jos Buttler, to score centuries in all three formats of the game. His retirement follows his omission from England’s squad for the upcoming white-ball series against Australia.
Also Read:- Jay Shah Takes Charge as ICC Chairman Amidst Crucial Challenges in Global Cricket
Reflecting on his career, Malan expressed immense gratitude for the opportunity to represent England across all formats since his debut in July 2017. “It has been an incredible journey,” Malan remarked, acknowledging the challenging nature of international sports where many athletes retire wishing they had achieved more. However, he retires feeling content, despite the pressures that often left him feeling as though he always had something to prove.
Malan first made headlines with a scintillating 78 off 44 balls on his T20I debut against South Africa in 2017. However, his true breakthrough came during England’s Ashes tour later that year, where he scored a memorable 140 in Perth, his only Test century.
Though he made significant contributions in Test cricket, it was the T20I format where Malan truly shined, especially after England’s 2019 ODI World Cup victory. His consistent performances earned him the top spot in the ICC T20I batting rankings in September 2020.
By March 2021, he became the fastest man to reach 1,000 runs in T20Is, achieving this milestone in just 24 innings, almost all of which were double-figure scores. Despite missing the knockout stages of the 2022 T20 World Cup due to injury, Malan was part of England’s victorious squad.
Also Read:- Shikhar Dhawan Retirement: A Glorious Cricketing Journey Comes to an End
Malan’s journey in ODIs was more gradual due to the success of England’s established 50-over squad. Although his cautious starts in T20Is sometimes attracted criticism, his approach was ideally suited for ODIs. When he finally got his chance, Malan seized it with both hands, scoring five centuries in just 15 innings between June 2022 and September 2023, securing his place in England’s 2023 World Cup squad. He added a sixth ODI century during the tournament, leading England to victory against Bangladesh, though the team’s overall campaign ended in disappointment.
In an interview with The Times, Malan expressed satisfaction with his achievements in white-ball cricket, though he admitted that his Test career did not meet his own expectations. Despite showing promise with an average of 33.00 in Australia, behind only Alastair Cook, Joe Root, and Jonny Bairstow among England’s regulars in the last decade, he never found the consistency needed to secure a long-term place in the Test side. His final Test appearance came in January 2022 in Hobart.
Reflecting on his career, Dawid Malan emphasized the intensity of Test cricket, noting how mentally and physically draining the format could be, especially during long series. Yet, he always focused on winning for his team, consistently questioning his decisions on the field to ensure they were the right ones for the team’s success.
With his international career behind him, Malan is expected to continue being a sought-after player in the T20 franchise circuit. Recently, he helped Oval Invincibles win the Men’s Hundred, adding to his success with Trent Rockets in 2022. Last winter, he also played a key role in Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s victory in the SA20 and represented Multan Sultans in the PSL.
Also Read:- KL Rahul’s Cryptic Post Sparks Retirement Rumors: The Truth Behind the Frenzy
Rob Key, managing director of England Men’s Cricket, praised Malan’s international career, highlighting his resilience and determination. Key noted that Malan’s legacy will be remembered for his tenacity and achievements, qualities that any player would be proud to possess.