Dawid Malan has revealed he shed a few tears after being told England were not willing to risk him in the T20 World Cup final.
Malan suffered a groin injury in England's final Super 12 game against Sri Lanka and then missed the thumping semi-final win over India, along with fast bowler Mark Wood who had a hip issue. The pair were given every opportunity to prove their fitness in time for the final against Pakistan and, although they both passed a fitness test, Matthew Mott and Jos Buttler ultimately decided it was not worth risking them.
England went on to win the game by five wickets, becoming the first men's side to hold both World Cup trophies simultaneously. Malan did return to action just four days after the final, striking a brilliant 134 off 128 balls in vain as England lost the first ODI against rivals Australia.
Speaking after the game, Malan opened up about missing the World Cup final, admitting it was "one of the toughest days I’ve ever had as a cricketer". He said: "We all have tough times in our careers.
"Not being able to play the final was probably one of the toughest days I've ever had as a cricketer. That's what sport's like – it's cruel sometimes.
"Understandably the decision was taken not to risk Woody and me, even though we'd done what was needed. I had a few tears that night, you never know how many World Cup finals you're going to be a part of.
"If you're just not fit and not able to do what's required, it's probably easier to take than to pass a fitness test and still be in a situation where you're still at risk and you could still let the team down by pulling up the next day in the second over of the game chasing a ball.
"Mark and myself had a two-minute chat. We both were gutted and then said 'it's not about us anymore it's about what the team needed'. It's in the past. We've won the World Cup, that's all that matters.
"To be fit and perform like I did [in the first ODI], it's extremely satisfying after the disappointment of last week – disappointment but also the massive excitement and elation of winning that World Cup.
"There's so much cricket coming up and I’ve got so much to play for still in my career. I still want to push myself into this squad and still want to be at the next T20 World Cup as well."
