Star English batsman and former World No. 1 T20I batter David Malan announced his retirement from international cricket. Malan’s last appearance for England was at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. In his international career, Malan played 114 matches for England—22 Tests, 30 ODIs, and 62 T20Is. In those 114 matches, Malan scored 4,416 runs at an average of 37.74 with 8 centuries and 31 half-centuries.
Malan made an impression in international cricket with his debut. In his debut game in June 2017 against South Africa, he played a standout knock of 78 in 44-ball. T20 was the format in which Malan showed his best version.
Malan reached the top of the ICC Men’s T20I Batting Rankings in September 2020. He achieved 1000 runs in just 24 innings and made history as the fastest men’s player to reach the milestone in T20Is. Malan also has the distinguished distinction of being the highest-ranking points-getting batter in the history of the game, with a top rating of 915 in the ICC T20I Player Rankings for batting.
He also played a significant role in England’s 2022 T20 World Cup triumph in Australia, despite missing the knockout stages due to a groin injury. Malan had huge success in the One-Day Internationals (ODIs) as well; he earned his spot as an opener in England’s ODI World Cup 2023 side by scoring 5 centuries in just 15 innings.
He extended his remarkable run of form by hitting a century (140 off 107 balls) in England’s match against Bangladesh, which helped his side win. England‘s campaign crumbled despite his best efforts, as they were ousted in the group stages and were unable to retain their title. In this World Cup campaign, Malan was one of England’s few shining lights, leading the team in runs scored with 404 runs, including two fifty-fives and a century.
Malan shared his thoughts in a statement following the announcement of his retirement: “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.”
“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.
