NEWS
Follow UsDawid Malan is averaging 54.92 in ODIs and 38.04 in T20Is, but there has always been question marks over his spot in the England set-up. The 35-year-old has been picked in England's provisional World Cup squad, however, there are people who want Harry Brook to be selected ahead of him.
Malan has a staggering record in the 50-over format, having scored 769 runs in 18 innings at a strike rate of 93.09, studded with four tons and three fifties. In fact, the left-hander has the best average amongst all England batters (minimum three innings) since the 2019 World Cup and has also scored the most number of centuries.
"You look at the amount of depth we've got in English cricket…to get the call was extremely satisfying. I know there are people who've missed out and I have so much sympathy for them, said Malan after scoring a match-winning fifty in the first T20I against New Zealand.
"From a personal point of view, I was exceptionally pleased to get that call, because I felt I've worked really hard to get in that squad. Every opportunity I've been given in 50 overs in my last four or five series, I've gone and had to score the runs, doing it the tough way to get in there."
Malan said about the constant scrutiny, “That's what I'm picked for. To score runs and win games. I am not there to please anyone, I'm there to score runs for Jos Buttler and Motty (Matthew Mott) and contribute to wins.
"I feel like I have done that consistently over the last five or six years, whatever it is in white-ball cricket. You get criticised, and that is part and parcel of the game. You might not be the favourite of the crowds, and the fans, and the commentators and the press, and everyone else, but all I can do is score runs when you get given the opportunity. Touch wood, I do that more often than not, and hopefully I continue to do it to keep the faith that the leadership have shown in me."
Malan also made it clear that there is no competition between him and Brook as the latter bats in the middle-order while he plays in the top-three. “I think you always have to score runs when you play international cricket. It's a provisional squad but, from my understanding, it's up to us to score runs to stay in it.
“I think it would be tough, two weeks before we are flying, especially with people potentially resting for the Ireland series, to suddenly lose their place. But that is cricket and that's the way life goes. Nothing is ever guaranteed until you stand on that plane…I know people compare me to Brooky but I bat top three and he bats 4, 5, 6, so I don't know where that comparison's from.
"Hopefully I can score as many runs as I can in the opportunities I get here, I'm not sure how many games I'll play, but when I do, hopefully I score runs and the runs put pressure on the selectors and the guys to pick an XI and keep me in it. I try not to look too far ahead, and score as many runs as I can in each opportunity."
