Dawid Malan dismisses ICC No.1 status: "It doesn't guarantee you a spot in the team"

The England batsman is hopeful of being given an opportunity during the three-match T20 series against South Africa, which begins next week

^{Credit: ECB}

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"I have no idea, I'd like to say I am."

The ICC's No.1 T20 batsman is far from guaranteed to play for his national team. Dawid Malan may have replaced Babar Azam as international cricket's best-ranked batter, but England still need convincing.

Malan climbed above Pakistan's multi-format captain in September after he finished as the highest run-scorer in the three-match series against Australia, scoring 129 at 43 and a strike-rate of 139.70.

Eleven months out from the World Cup in India, the left-hander returns to the scene of his cricketing education, South Africa, with his grip on a place in the squad, not least the XI, under threat. 

Though Malan has started England's last seven T20s the return of Ben Stokes and Jason Roy means he begins the series with uncertainty growing over his place. It is no surprise, therefore, that any recognition by the ICC pales into insignificance.

"It's something I'll enjoy more when I've retired," said the Yorkshire man. "It is not something that I'm really looking at right now. It doesn't guarantee you runs, it doesn't guarantee you a spot in the team. 

"It is something that the day I retire I'll look back on with fond memories. The more you look at the rankings the more the pressure is on you and that is something I'm trying not to let affect me by not worrying where I am in terms of No.1, 20 or 100 in the world.

"All I can do is put the work in in the nets and if I get the opportunity to play and keep scoring the runs that I can and put the pressure on the guys who have the spots. 

"Every opportunity is gold when you're trying to break into this team. I can do what I control and if that is good enough at the end of the day then I hope it is good enough."

^{Dawid Malan was the highest run-scorer during the Australia series}

Across all T20s, international, domestic and franchise, Malan is ranked 83rd in the Player Index - which is based on a rolling three-year period.

Matches on November 27, 29 and December 1 in Cape Town and Paarl provide Malan with his latest opportunity to impress if indeed he is selected. Not involved in next months one-day internationals, he then heads to Australia to quarantine ahead of representing Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League.

The 33-year-old has previously bemoaned England's selection policy, with preferential treatment seemingly given to established players. And that lack of "leeway" remains, according to Malan.

"Everyone has to work hard to play for England - it is never just given on a plate," he added. "If you look at the limited opportunities I've had since I was in the first squad in 2016 to have only played 15 games.

"You look back and think you didn't get as much of a run but that is understandable with the quality of players that England have had, they've won a World Cup and been absolutely fantastic.

"The opportunities that you get you have to capitalise on those opportunities and every time you get to be able to stay in the squad. 

"It is important to be part of the 15 or 16-man squad because that gives you a sniff if someone does go down on the day."