T20 debutant touted as Ashes tourist

After impressing in his Twenty20 international debut, Dawid Malan is now being touted as a potential Ashes tourist for England by a former coach of the national side.

The left-hander hit 78 from 44 balls on his maiden international outing as England beat South Africa by 19 runs to win the three-match T20 series 2-1.

His inclusion in the side caused controversy as England's limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan rested himself from the deciding match.

But the performance of Malan and England's win took the sting out of that criticism with David Lloyd effusive in his praise for the Middlesex batsman.

"He might play in the Test matches," said Lloyd, with England to meet South Africa in a four-Test series next month.

"He's 29 years of age, he knows his game, he scores runs for fun for Middlesex.

"He might be a flyer, I think he might be talked about," Lloyd told Sky Sports.

Malan left his first ball, but deposited the second over the mid-wicket fence for six. His fifty came in 31 balls, and was the highest score by an England player on T20 international debut.

In first-class cricket he averages a touch above 38 from 140 matches, with 18 centuries and a highest score of 182 not out.

In five County Championship matches this year he has 353 runs at 50.42, with one century.

England beat South Africa 2-1 in an early season one-day series to cement themselves as favourites for the Champions Trophy, but bowed out at the semi-final stage after being toppled by eventual champions Pakistan.

The T20 series that followed saw England experiment with players, with Tom Curran and Mason Crane also getting opportunities to impress.

"The younger players have come through in the series," Lloyd said.

"It's been so entertaining … the individual skills of the players, they've expressed themselves. You get mistakes as well but I think it's been an excellent series.

"It's worth a comment that the big players are resting but it gives a great opportunity to young players to come in."

After fearing his international chance may have gone begging, Malan said he had been inspired by Middlesex teammate and Australia veteran Adam Voges to press on.

A conversation with Voges, who didn't make his Test debut until he was 35, helped persuade Malan, who turns 30 in September, that he would get his shot.

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"I didn't think this day would come," Malan said after his player-of-the-match display in Cardiff.

"I actually had a chat about two-and-a-half months ago with Adam after the North v South (domestic) games which I contributed really well to.

"Then they (England) rested a few players for the Ireland matches.

"I spoke to Adam and said 'Look, I don't know what else I can do. I can only score so many runs in the games that I'm given'.

"He gave me a few tips as he was in the same position with regards to Test cricket in Australia.

"He was a late bloomer so he told me what he did. Fortunately I was given another chance.

"You probably have your best years from 28 to 32 as a batsman," explained Malan. "You start knowing your game, what your strengths and weaknesses are.

"So hopefully my best years are still ahead of me and I can get a few more opportunities to push for a regular place," said Malan, who stressed that playing Test cricket was "still my ambition".

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2017-18 International Fixtures:

Men's Ashes Series

First Test Gabba, November 23-27. Buy tickets

Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night). Buy tickets

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Join the ACF

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Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Buy tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21