Dawid Malan, the top-order batsman for England, described the country's most recent central contracts list as "somewhat weird" after receiving an incremental contract because of the emphasis on Test cricket.
Malan lost his entire contract on Tuesday after being excluded from the Test squad ever since the 4-0 Ashes loss in Australia. However, as evidenced by his innings of 82 from 49 balls against Australia to give England a series victory in Canberra on Wednesday, the left-hander still plays a crucial role in the T20I team.
"The system for the contracts is a little odd. Red-ball cricket looks to be the predominant direction. Hopefully, white-ball cricket will be given the same respect as it receives in Test matches. Contracts exist so that we can be compensated for the work we do for England. If you finish in the top five for three years, you might expect to be recognised with a white-ball deal, but that's not how it works "Sky Sports cited Malan's statement.
Malan was keen to point out that pace all-rounder Chris Jordan hasn't received any form of contract for the 2022–23 season, which is also reflected in the central contracts list. "Those are decisions I don't make," Jordan said, referring to the players who are present who are the top wicket-takers in the history of the sport (Jordan is England's top T20 wicket-taker).
"I spoke with Keysie (Rob Key) about that earlier. You have no control over the situation. I still consider it a privilege to represent England, and I want to do all in my power to assist the team win."
Prior to the Men's T20 World Cup, which begins on October 16, Malan, who had slid to number seven in England's victory over Australia in the first T20I match played in Perth, was back at number three in Canberra. He also recorded his 14th T20I fifty in that match.
"I believe I have amply demonstrated my position in the past. In the end, I believe everyone on this team is very adaptable in how they're going to bat if we reach a certain point in the game because of how evenly balanced they are."
"The same thing happened at the most recent World Cup; we chop and change depending on whether we want to bring in a specific player at a particular time, particularly if we have a strong start. Everybody on the club pretty much pads up and waits for a nod once we get off to a solid start "the left-hander declared.