Dawid Malan has called time on his international career with England; the left-handed batter made 4,416 runs across all three formats since 2017; watch the second Test live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10am on Thursday August 29 (first ball 11am)
Wednesday 28 August 2024 16:21, UK
Dawid Malan has announced his immediate retirement from international cricket with England.
His decision brings to a close a career that includes 22 Test matches, 30 one-day internationals and 62 T20 internationals, the left-hander amassing 4,416 runs for his country across all formats.
"It has been an incredible journey since July 2017," Malan said. "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 10 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."
Malan is one of only two England men's cricketers to have scored centuries in all three formats of the game; the other being Jos Buttler.
He reached the pinnacle of the ICC T20 international batting rankings, represented England in two Ashes series and was also selected for one ICC World Cup and two ICC T20 World Cups, becoming a world champion with England in 2022.
In international cricket, Malan scored 32 fifties and eight centuries, including a standout Test innings of 140 against Australia in Perth in 2017.
"I am so grateful to so many people: to the coaches and staff of the various England teams, to everyone who helped and supported me along the way, and to all my England team-mates over these seven years.
"None of this would have happened without the endless support of my parents. Lastly, I would like to thank my wife Claire for her love, unwavering support, and for looking after our two children and our home while I was so often on the road."
Managing director of England men's cricket, Rob Key, added: "Dawid Malan retires after an excellent international career marked by resilience and determination.
"Early on, he had to fight for every opportunity, often facing some of the best teams in the world. His contributions were pivotal, particularly during the memorable World Cup victories in Australia, where he played an integral role in the team's success.
"His legacy will be remembered as one of tenacity and achievement on the international stage, traits any player would be extremely proud to have."
Speaking to Sky Sports following his retirement, Malan said that being one of only two England players to have made centuries in all three formats will be something he will look back on and be "proud of" and was a "dream come true".
"I always said, the records mean nothing when you are playing and they are something you will look back at and be really proud of when you retire," he told Sky Sports.
"One of the things I am really proud of is that I was able to play all three formats first and foremost and to score a hundred in all of them was a dream come true.
"I never imagined playing one game of cricket never mind all the cricket I have played for England.
"To have done it as consistently as I did over those periods, I am incredibly proud of.
"It is a fantastic stat. I think I am also the only male English cricketer who has got a wicket and a hundred in all three formats so I will add that in as well.
"It sounds like I am blowing my own trumpet a bit but it is incredible to look back and say of all the former players for England, I am only one of two [to score the three centuries]."
Despite having so many career highlights, Malan believes he had to go through some "tough times" to ensure he had an international career, always "fighting" for his spot.
"When I look back on my career I probably didn't have it as easy as others and that is not me trying to say 'poor me or whatever'," he added.
"I felt I had to work incredibly hard to get into this team. I felt I had to go through some tough times and wait a long time to get my opportunity.
"So, when I did I felt like I was always playing for my spot and when you get slightly older, you feel like you have to do all the time when you start your international career quite late.
"I would say I never gave up, I always found ways to win games of cricket to keep staying there.
"That is probably the best part of my career I guess that I always found a way."
Ahead of England's second Test against Sri Lanka, stand-in captain Ollie Pope paid tribute to Malan.
"He is obviously such a highly-skilled batter and he feels that now is the time for him to step away from international cricket and enjoy some more cricket coming up.
"Obviously he has had a top career and an Ashes 100 away from home is very special. To do it in all three formats, there are not many who have done that.
"He has got a lot to be proud of."
Watch the second Test between England and Sri Lanka at Lord's, live on Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event from 10am on Thursday August 29 (first ball, 11am).
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