England star batter Dawid Malan called time on his international career on August 28, Wednesday. Malan, who made his international debut in 2017, last appeared for England at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India. Overall, he has played 114 matches, comprising 22 Tests, 30 ODIs, and 62 T20Is. The 36-year-old accumulated 4,416 runs with an average of 37.74, including eight centuries and 31 fifties throughout his illustrious career.
He impressed with his performance in his T20I debut in June 2017, scoring 78 off just 44 deliveries against South Africa. By September 2020, he achieved a feat, reaching the top of the ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings. At the same time, he also became the fastest men’s player to accumulate 1,000 runs in Test cricket, achieving it in 24 innings.
Additionally, he also holds the record for the highest ICC T20I Player Rankings rating for batting, with 915 ratings. The former World No.1 T20I batter, was key for England‘s T20 World Cup-winning campaign in Australia in 2022, though he missed the knockout stages due to a groin injury sustained during a game in the group stage.
The 36-year-old also experienced notable success in the ODI format as well. From June 2022 to September 2023, he amassed five centuries in just 15 innings, which subsequently helped him to earn a spot in the 2023 World Cup squad as an opener. He continued his exceptional performance, scoring 140 off 107 balls in England’s match against Bangladesh, which they eventually won by 137 runs. Despite his mastery at the top order, England’s campaign faltered as they were eliminated in the group stages.
“It has been an incredible journey since July 2017. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to play for England in all three formats. Cricket, like most sports, is an industry where almost everyone eventually retires wishing they had done that little bit more. Whether you’ve played ten Tests or 100, many step away regretting not playing just one more, scoring a few more runs, or winning more trophies,” Malan said after announcing his retirement.
“Right now, as I retire from international cricket, I can say I am genuinely satisfied. It has not been easy. It may be my nature, but for whatever reason, it has always seemed that I had something to prove and often felt as if I was playing for my place. The pressure goes with the territory, but it does take a mental and physical toll. Even so, I look back with pride on what I have been able to achieve,” he added.
