Dawid Malan set to replace Ben Stokes for Australia ODI series

Dawid Malan has been in prime form in the ongoing Ashes against Australia. He perished cheaply in the first Day/Night Test at Adelaide, however, stormed back with his maiden Test ton at the WACA in Perth. The Roehampton-born cricketer followed the century up with another brilliant half-century in the second innings.

As per reports, the Middlesex cricketer is most likely to be rewarded for his impressive outings in Tests. The pugnacious potential is all set to replace Ben Stokes in England’s One-Day International squad that will play Australia after the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Stokes had been included in the ODI squad, however, criminal proceedings have ensured that he is unable to claim a spot in the playing XI. Tom Harrison, the chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), recently mentioned that the situation might extend for six to 12 months. Meanwhile, he also affirmed that Stokes is free to play domestic cricket.

A rich vein of form for Malan

Malan made his T20 International debut against South Africa in June and immediately impressed with a breezy knock of 78 runs off 44 balls. The left-handed batsman has been a stalwart in the domestic circuit for Middlesex. In 142 List A games, Malan has racked up nearly 5000 runs at an average of 42.

He also has 10 centuries in his kitty playing for Middlesex. The cricketer also has scored 3669 runs in T20 cricket with a top score of 115 against Sussex in the 2015 NatWest T20 Blast. He also has 100 sixes in T20 cricket, which is no mean feat.

The Australia series is a golden opportunity for Malan to cement his position in the national team. The first ODI between England and Australia will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on January 14.