Dawid Malan: England batsman announces retirement from international cricket

Dawid Malan has announced his immediate retirement from international cricket with England.

His decision brings to an end a career that included 22 Test matches, 30 one-day internationals and 62 T20 internationals, with the left-hander amassing 4,416 runs for his country across all formats.

“It’s been an incredible journey since July 2017,” Malan said. “I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to play for England in all three formats.

“Cricket, like most sports, is an industry where almost everyone ends up retiring and wishing they had done more. Whether you have played 10 Tests or 100, many retire regretting not playing one more, scoring more points or winning more trophies.

“Now, as I retire from international cricket, I can say that I am completely satisfied. It wasn’t easy. Maybe it’s my nature, but for whatever reason, I always felt that I had something to prove and often felt as if I was playing for my place.

“The pressure is there, but it is mentally and physically draining. However, I am proud of what I have achieved.”

Malan is one of two men’s England cricketers to have scored centuries in all three formats of the game; the other is Jos Buttler.

He reached the top 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 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 very grateful to many people: to the coaches and staff of the various England teams, to everyone who has helped and supported me along the way, and to all my England teammates over these seven years.

“None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of my parents. Lastly, I would like to thank my wife Claire for her love, unwavering support, and for caring for our two children and our home while I was away so much.”

England men’s cricket managing director Rob Key added: “Dawid Malan retires after a remarkable international career marked by resilience and determination.

“Initially, he had to fight for every opportunity, often coming up against some of the best teams in the world. His contribution was crucial, particularly during the impressive World Cup win in Australia, where he played a key role in the team’s success.

“His legacy will be remembered for his tenacity and achievements on the international stage, traits any player would be proud to have possessed.”

Malan: Three centuries of format is career highlight | I had to do it hard

Speaking to Sky Sports after his retirement, Malan said that becoming one of only two England players to score centuries in all three formats would be something he would look back on and be “proud” of and was a “dream come true”.

“I always say, records don’t mean anything when you’re playing and it’s something you look back on and are really proud of when you retire,” he said. Sky Sports.

“One of the things I’m most proud of is that I was able to play all three formats in the first place and to score a hundred in all of them is a dream come true.

“I never imagined playing one cricket match, let alone all the cricket matches I have played for England.

“I’m very proud to have been able to do it as consistently as I did during that period.

“That’s a fantastic statistic. I think I’m also the only English male cricketer to have taken a wicket and a hundred in all three formats, so I’ll add that to that as well.

“It sounds like I’m being a bit self-righteous, but it’s incredible to look back and say of all the former England players, I’m only one of two. [to score the three centuries]”.”

Despite having many high points in his career, Malan believes he had to go through some “tough times” to ensure he had an international career, and always “fought” for his place.

“When I look back at my career, maybe my life wasn’t as easy as other people’s and that’s not to say ‘pity me or whatever’,” he added.

“I feel like I had to work really hard to get into this team. I feel like I had to go through tough times and wait a long time to get my chance.

“So when I did that I felt like I was always playing for my place and when you get a bit older you feel like you have to do everything when you start your international career a bit later.

“I said I never gave up, I always found a way to win cricket matches to stay there.

“That’s probably the best part of my career, I think I’ve always found a way.”

Pope: Malan can be proud of his brilliant career

Ahead of England’s second Test match against Sri Lanka, stand-in captain Ollie Pope paid tribute to Malan.

“He is obviously a very skilled player and he feels that now is the time for him to step away from international cricket and enjoy more cricket in the future.

“Obviously he’s had a great career and an Ashes 100 away from home is something very special. Not many can do it in all three formats.

“He has 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 29 August (first ball, 11am).

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