The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Malan’s patience rewarded
Middlesex man feared chance to play for England had passed by
England batsman Dawid Malan feared he would never get the chance to play international cricket.
The Middlesex player produced a match-winning performance in the series decider against South Africa at Cardiff on Sunday – his 78 from 44 balls making him England’s highestever scorer on Twenty20 debut.
But the powerful lefthander – who turns 30 in September – feared his England career was over before it started, and it was only a conversation with Middlesex team-mate Adam Voges that gave him hope.
“I didn’t think that day would come,” Malan said. “I had a chat about two months ago with Adam after the North v South games which I contributed really well to.
“Then England rested a few players for the Ireland one-day matches.
“I spoke to Adam and said I didn’t know what else I could do. I can only score so many runs in the games that I’m given.
“He gave me a few tips as he was in the same position with regards to Test cricket in Australia.
“He was a late bloomer so he told me what he did. Fortunately I was given another chance and I took it.”
Malan was promoted into the senior set-up after scoring 125 not out and 84 for the England Lions against South Africa A earlier this month.
And, having waited so long for his opportunity, he was in no mood to waste it.
He sent the second ball he faced from the formidable Chris Morris flying 20 yards over the mid-wicket boundary and ended up striking 12 4s and two 6s as England won by 19 runs in Cardiff.
“I’ve got a Twenty20 game plan, something I stick to,” Malan said. “A player probably has his best years from 28 to 32 as a batsman. You start knowing your game, what your strengths and weaknesses are. I’d rather be 29 on my debut and knowing what my strengths are than 21 and not being comfortable with my game.
“I think 29 is young. You look at some of these players playing Twenty20 cricket around the world and they’re 38, 39, 40.
“Hopefully my best years are still ahead of me and I can get a few more opportunities to push for a regular place.”
Roehampton-born Malan’s debut was all the more special as he was playing against the country where he was raised after moving to South Africa when he was 10.
Malan began his career in the Western Cape at Boland before returning to England and joining Middlesex in 2006.
“I know that country very well and it means a hell of a lot to me,” he said of South Africa.
“It’s given me my years at school and made me the player I am.
“So to be able to make my debut against them and contribute to England, the country I was born in and have lived in almost all of my life, is a fantastic experience.
“But I want to play all three forms for England. If you look at my statistics over the last four years in first-class cricket, they’ve been as consistent as anyone in the country. Test cricket is still my ambition and something I want.”
“I’ve got a Twenty20 game plan, something I stick to”