Dawid Malan Retires: England’s Former No.1 T20I Batter Calls Time on International Career
At 37, Dawid Malan, England’s former No.1-ranked T20I batter, has announced his retirement from international cricket, closing a chapter that saw him achieve remarkable feats across all formats. Malan, known for his adaptability and impressive batting skills, played 22 Tests, 30 ODIs, and 62 T20Is. He remains one of only two England batters, alongside Jos Buttler, to have scored centuries in all three international formats.
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A Remarkable Journey from Debut to Retirement
Malan made his T20I debut in 2017 with a stunning 78 from 44 balls against South Africa, showcasing his potential early on. His Test breakthrough came on the Ashes tour later that year, where he scored his only Test century, a remarkable 140 in partnership with Jonny Bairstow at Perth. Despite his promising start in Tests, it was in T20Is that Malan truly found his niche.
After England’s ODI World Cup win in 2019, Malan cemented his place in the T20I squad with consistent performances, including a record-setting 48-ball hundred in New Zealand. His rapid rise saw him top the ICC T20I batting rankings in September 2020, and by March 2021, he became the fastest player to reach 1,000 runs in T20Is, achieving this milestone in just 24 innings.
Key Milestones and Setbacks
Dawid Malan’s career highlights include his role in England’s 2022 T20 World Cup-winning squad, though an unfortunate groin injury against Sri Lanka kept him out of the knockout stages. Despite a slower start in ODIs, Malan found his footing, scoring five hundreds in just 15 innings between 2022 and 2023, which solidified his position in the 2023 World Cup squad. However, England’s overall underperformance led to his omission from subsequent squads, including the white-ball series against Australia.
Reflecting on the Test Career
Though Malan excelled in white-ball cricket, his Test career was a mixed bag. With an average of 33.00 in his 22 Tests, mainly against tough opponents like Australia, Malan’s Test journey was marred by inconsistency. Speaking about his Test career, Malan stated, “Test cricket was always the pinnacle for me growing up. At times I played well, but in between, I just wasn’t good enough or consistent enough, which was disappointing because I felt I was a better player than that.”
Beyond England: A Bright Future in T20 Leagues
With his international career concluded, Dawid Malan is expected to continue his cricket journey in T20 franchise leagues, where his experience and skill set will be highly valued. He recently played for Oval Invincibles in the Men’s Hundred, contributing to their victory, and was part of the Trent Rockets squad that won the 2022 title. His performances in the SA20 with Sunrisers Eastern Cape and the PSL with Multan Sultans further underscore his appeal in the T20 circuit.
Legacy and Farewell
Rob Key, managing director of England Men’s Cricket, praised Malan’s contributions: “Dawid Malan retires after an excellent international career marked by resilience and determination. Early on, he had to fight for every opportunity, often facing some of the best teams in the world. His legacy will be remembered as one of tenacity and achievement on the international stage—traits any player would be extremely proud to have.”
Dawid Malan’s retirement marks the end of an era for England cricket, but his legacy as a top T20I batter and his contributions across all formats will continue to inspire future generations. As he transitions to the next phase of his career, his journey serves as a testament to the power of perseverance, adaptability, and sheer talent.
“Success isn’t just about reaching the top; it’s about the climb, the persistence, and the lessons learned along the way.” – BOS.
