Cape Town Blitz international marquee player Dawid Malan is delighted to call Newlands his home ground, writes KHALID MOHIDIN. 

Dawid Malan has returned to Cape Town to participate in the Mzansi Super League.

Despite having grown up in Paarl and attending Paarl Boys High School, the 31-year-old will not represent the team that represents the city he grew up in (Paarl Rocks) but, instead, he will represent the Mother City side the Cape Town Blitz.

Speaking exclusively to SACricketmag.com after a tough net session in the Paarl heat, the England international spoke about his love for his new home ground.

‘I was very lucky to be picked up,’ said Malan. ‘I never had a choice on whether to play for Paarl Rocks or the Cape Town Blitz. At the draw I was hoping for any of the Cape Town teams, either Cape Town or Paarl.

‘To be based in Cape Town is fantastic and to be able to play at Newlands as well. I have played a few games at Newlands and really enjoyed it. I also watched a hell-of-a-lot of games there and it’s a ground I absolutely love.

‘To be able to call it my home ground even if it is just for a short while is absolutely fantastic.’

The England international made his Test debut and T20I debut against the Proteas in 2017, but it was in the T20I at Hamilton that he truly made his mark, hitting 78 off 44 balls, that helped England set up a 19-run win.

He holds a decent domestic T20 average of 32.84 at a strike rate of 126.50 and is excited to show that he has the knack for the shortest format.

‘I want to score as many runs I can’, said Malan about his aims for the Mzansi Super League.

‘The more runs you score in competitions like these and the more runs you score to help your team win and hopefully get the team to the playoffs will be fantastic for me and will show people around the world that you can play in any conditions and under any kind of pressure.’

Get to know more about the England international in SACricketmag.com’s exclusive interview