Moxon confident Yorkshire fans will see best of Malan
MARTYN MOXON expects Dawid Malan to have recovered from his calf problem in time to take the field during the latter stages of the summer.
Yorkshire’s new signing recently suffered the injury in training.
The former Middlesex captain is part of England’s 55-man back-to-training group and has been preparing for any call-up at Emerald Headingley.
Unfortunately, the issue prevented any potential involvement in the 30-man group who will this week ramp up preparations at the Ageas Bowl for next month’s Test series against the West Indies.
However, White Rose director of cricket Moxon is confident Malan will be ready to play for Yorkshire and/or England’s limited overs teams through August and September.
“He’s got this calf injury,” said Moxon. “It was reported in the media that it kept him out of England’s 30 for the Test preparations. But, hopefully, he’ll be fit for selection for England’s white-ball games.
“He picked it up recently, but he should be ok.”
It has been a strange old summer for everybody involved with English cricket – players, coaches, administrators and supporters alike.
But for Malan, who has moved to a new county and is awaiting his debut, it must be especially strange.
“Fortunately, Dawid’s had a bit of time with (Yorkshire coach) Andrew Gale over the last month or so given he’s been back in training ready for any England call-up,” added Moxon.
“That’s been important because otherwise we’d have had literally no time at all with him.
“We’ve had no time at all with the players since March, and Dawid had been away playing in the Pakistan Super League before that as well.
“He came to Headingley a couple of times for indoor sessions before he went to the PSL and before the lads went on that brief tour to Mumbai.
“It’s not ideal, but we’ve had a few conversations on the phone, Galey’s had some time with him, and the strength and conditioning coaches and physio have as well.
“We’re getting to know him slowly but surely.”
Moxon says the 32-year-old batsman has settled into life in Yorkshire “as well as can be expected”.
He continued: “It seems as though Dawid’s very comfortable in his new surroundings, which is good.
“Personally, he’s got a new house up here with his wife. He moved into the area during this period we’ve had away from the game.
“Professionally, the reports from Galey have been very good.”
With the return of domestic cricket moving closer, there is still time for the prolific lefthander to make his Yorkshire debut before the summer’s close.
But with him an integral part of England’s T20 plans and being a part of their last one-day international squad in South Africa at the start of the year, Yorkshire fans may have to be patient.“It would good if we can get a bit of cricket out of him in a Yorkshire shirt,” added Moxon.