Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
THIRD INVESTEC TEST, LORD’S WINTER MALAN Stylish Middlesex batsman had almost given up on Test cricket but now plays at his Lord’s home in bid for Ashes place
DAWID MALAN never thought he would play any Test matches, let alone one at the Home of Cricket.
But after turning 30 on Sunday, the Middlesex batsman has the chance to walk out at Lord’s on Thursday and in all probability with an Ashes tour to come this winter.
His twin 60s in the first two Tests against the West Indies have shown he can contribute at the highest level, even if he has not quite shown what he is fully capable of yet.
That came in his T20 debut at Cardiff when his first scoring shot was a pulled six and he went on to make 78. And that innings put his name in the spotlight at the right time as England looked to replace the injured Gary Ballance (below).
“I didn’t really think I’d get a Test match,” said Malan. “I always thought one-day and T20 were my strongest formats, where I have been consistent.
“If someone had told me at the beginning of the year or four years ago that I would play a Test match for England, I would have laughed and now I have a chance to play at my home ground.
“It is humbling to know you could be playing at the home of cricket. I’ve played a lot of cricket here. I enjoy batting at Lord’s. It is a ground I have good memories of so hopefully I can get stuck in and not give it away.”
Malan was born in England, but grew up in South Africa and it was there he first became aware of the Ashes, catching the 2002/03 tour before rushing home from school to watch the last session of the 2005 series.
He has put his name forward for various T20 leagues this winter, but they will all fall by the wayside should he join Joe Root and Co Down Under, which he knows after speaking to Eoin Morgan and Chris Rogers, remains the pinnacle. “Morgy went on the 2010-11 tour, but did not play a game and even two years ago was saying that one of his dreams was to play an Ashes Test,” he added.
“It was a great atmosphere and he was gutted that he didn’t play. Someone like him, who has played in tournaments all over the world, World Cup finals, won a T20 World Cup, for him to say the Ashes is the pinnacle – the one you really want to play in – tells you everything.
“If you score enough runs, there is that little cherry on the cake in the background.”