Dawid Malan Embraces New Role at Yorkshire and Future Talks with Rob Key
Dawid Malan gears up for a dynamic shift as he delves into coaching duties with Yorkshire while also preparing for discussions with Rob Key regarding his future in the sport in the wake of stepping back from England’s cricket scene.
Dawid Malan, having recently lost his place in the England squad post the 50-over World Cup, is now set to kick off the 2024 season by offering his expertise as a batting coach for Yorkshire.
Despite being ranked No.11 by the ICC in T20I batting, with only Phil Salt (second) and Jos Buttler (ninth) ahead among English players, Malan seems unlikely to secure a spot in England’s 2022 T20 World Cup roster. As he embarks on this new coaching role, Malan also contemplates his career trajectory beyond playing professionally.
At 37 years old, Malan announced his departure from red-ball cricket during the 50-over World Cup last November to extend his white-ball career, including participation in the upcoming T20 Blast. His recent engagements in the SA20 and PSL leagues kept him active, and he now looks forward to contributing his insights and experience to Yorkshire’s batters during his off-season.
Expressing his enthusiasm for this coaching stint, Malan stated, “It’s quite exciting to work with the firsts and seconds, whoever is around, and share some of my knowledge about batting.” He remains open to exploring coaching as a potential avenue post-retirement while acknowledging that he still has a few more years of playing if circumstances permit.
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Malan’s temporary shift to coaching doesn’t rule out a return to red-ball cricket, as he hinted at a possible U-turn during conversations with head coach Ottis Gibson. Gibson expressed surprise initially but welcomed the prospect of Malan rejoining the Championship fold, given his past contributions and impressive batting average with Yorkshire.
Despite Malan’s strong performances, particularly in the 50-over format, his absence from recent England squads hints at a potential shift in team strategy. However, Ben Stokes‘ withdrawal from the T20 World Cup may create an opening for Malan’s return, albeit his recent form in T20Is being a point of discussion.
Looking ahead, Malan awaits talks with Rob Key to gain clarity on his international future, emphasizing his readiness for whatever path unfolds. “I have made peace with that. I have a different path that I am looking at at the moment in terms of the last two or three years in my career,” he remarked, highlighting his adaptability and willingness to embrace new challenges within cricket.
