The challenge for Malan, however, was provided not by the strength of the opposition but of rivals queueing up for top-order batting places behind him. There have been quicker Malan 50s in T20s for England - two for the record - but this innings could not have been better timed following two single-figure flops in Cardiff. And it came from his favoured opening position after Jason Roy was ruled out due to a tight hamstring. This was only the fourth occasion on which Malan has gone in first for his country. David Willey claimed three wickets as a 3-0 clean sweep was achieved at a canter.

Source: The Nation June 26, 2021 20:15 UTC