When you think of consistent, elegant, and dependable batting for England in limited-overs cricket, one name often comes up: Dawid Malan. Over the past few years, Malan has carved a reputation as one of England’s most reliable batters across formats, especially in T20 internationals where he has topped global rankings.
But who is Dawid Malan beyond the scorecards? Let’s dive into his journey, career highlights, and the stats that make him stand out on the world stage.
Dawid Malan: Quick Personal Profile
Here’s a snapshot of the man behind the runs:
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Full Name: Dawid Johannes Malan
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Date of Birth: September 3, 1987 (Age: 37 years)
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Birthplace: Roehampton, England
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Height: 6 ft 0 in
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Role: Specialist Batsman
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Batting Style: Left-handed
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Bowling Style: Right-arm legbreak
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Country Represented: England
Malan is known for his calm demeanor at the crease, his ability to anchor innings, and his skill to accelerate when needed. Let’s break down his cricket journey format by format.
Dawid Malan’s Batting Career Stats
Test Cricket
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Matches: 22
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Innings: 39
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Runs Scored: 1,074
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Highest Score: 140
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Batting Average: 27.54
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Strike Rate: 40.97
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Fifties/Hundreds: 9/1
In Tests, Malan’s highlight came during the 2017–18 Ashes series, where he scored a memorable 140 in Perth. While his red-ball career hasn’t been as extensive as his white-ball journey, his grit and technique stood out against top bowling attacks.
One Day Internationals (ODIs)
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Matches: 30
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Runs: 1,450
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Highest Score: 140
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Average: 55.77
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Strike Rate: 97.45
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Fifties/Hundreds: 7/6
Malan’s ODI record is nothing short of outstanding. Averaging over 55, he has established himself as a consistent top-order option. His ability to rotate strike and accelerate makes him a perfect fit for England’s aggressive batting lineup.
T20 Internationals (T20Is)
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Matches: 62
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Runs: 1,892
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Highest Score: 103
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Average: 36.38
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Strike Rate: 132.50
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Fifties/Hundreds: 16/1
Malan has been one of the most consistent T20I batters in the world. At one point, he was ranked No.1 in the ICC T20I batting rankings, thanks to his superb consistency and ability to play both anchor and finisher roles.
Indian Premier League (IPL)
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Matches: 1
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Runs: 26
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Highest Score: 26
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Strike Rate: 100.00
Though his IPL career has been limited to just a single match for Punjab Kings in 2021, Malan’s reputation in T20 leagues worldwide makes him a strong candidate for future franchise opportunities.
Dawid Malan’s Bowling Career Stats
While Malan is primarily a batsman, he occasionally rolls his arm over with some handy leg-spin.
Test Bowling
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Matches: 22
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Wickets: 2
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Best Figures: 2/33
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Bowling Average: 65.5
ODI Bowling
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Matches: 30
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Wickets: 1
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Best Figures: 1/5
T20I Bowling
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Matches: 62
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Wickets: 1
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Best Figures: 1/27
His bowling is rarely called upon, but it gives England an extra part-time option if needed.
Career Timeline: From Debut to Present
Here’s a look at how Malan’s international career has unfolded:
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T20I Debut: June 25, 2017 vs South Africa (Sophia Gardens)
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Test Debut: July 27, 2017 vs South Africa (Kennington Oval)
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ODI Debut: May 3, 2019 vs Ireland (The Village)
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IPL Debut: May 2, 2021 vs Delhi Capitals (Narendra Modi Stadium)
His most recent appearances:
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Last T20I: September 5, 2023 vs New Zealand (Trent Bridge)
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Last Test: January 14, 2022 vs Australia (Bellerive Oval)
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Last ODI: November 11, 2023 vs Pakistan (Eden Gardens)
What Makes Dawid Malan Stand Out?
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Consistency Under Pressure
Malan has a knack for delivering when the team needs it most, especially in white-ball cricket. -
Technically Solid
His classical left-handed technique allows him to adapt across conditions, from swinging English pitches to flat subcontinent tracks. -
World-Class T20 Record
Being ranked ICC T20I No.1 batsman was no small feat. His numbers back it up. -
Late Bloomer Success
Malan made his international debut at nearly 30, proving that perseverance pays off.
Dawid Malan’s Role in Modern England Cricket
England’s white-ball revolution, led by the likes of Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler, has been about fearless batting. Malan fits right in—balancing aggression with stability.
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In ODIs, he’s the anchor who turns into a destroyer once set.
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In T20Is, he’s a top-order rock, giving England the platform to attack.
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In Tests, while not a regular, he’s shown flashes of brilliance in tough conditions.
Also Read : Shoaib Malik Profile – Age, Career Info & Stats
Beyond the Stats: Dawid Malan the Person
Outside the boundary ropes, Malan is known for his grounded personality. He comes from a cricketing family, with his father (Dawid Malan Sr.) having played domestic cricket in South Africa.
He also spent time in South Africa during his early years before returning to England, which gave him exposure to different cricketing cultures and conditions.
Dawid Malan in Franchise Leagues
While IPL opportunities have been limited, Malan has made his mark in other leagues:
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Big Bash League (BBL): Featured for Hobart Hurricanes.
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Pakistan Super League (PSL): Played for Peshawar Zalmi.
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Domestic T20s: Regular performer for Yorkshire and Middlesex.
His adaptability across leagues makes him a sought-after name in franchise cricket.
Fun Facts About Dawid Malan
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He’s one of the few England players to score a century on T20I debut (103 vs South Africa in 2017).
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Malan holds one of the fastest rises to No.1 in ICC T20 rankings, achieving it within just a couple of years of debut.
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Despite his strong records, he’s often considered underrated compared to bigger English names.
Conclusion: Why Dawid Malan Matters
Dawid Malan may not always dominate headlines like Root, Stokes, or Buttler, but his importance to England cricket is undeniable. With stellar ODI and T20I records, a fighting spirit in Tests, and experience across global leagues, he continues to be a key figure in England’s cricketing setup.
At 37, Malan is proof that class is permanent, and as long as he keeps delivering runs, England will always have a place for their stylish left-hander.
So, whether you’re a die-hard cricket fan or just getting to know him, one thing is clear—Dawid Malan is a name worth remembering.
