Dawid Malan given ‘huge shock’ after wife gave birth to baby girl during the final Ashes Test

Dawid Malan given a ‘huge shock’ after his wife gave birth to baby girl six weeks earlier than expected, while England batsman was playing in the final Ashes Test in Tasmania

  • England were beaten by 146 runs in the final Ashes Test by Australia 
  • Dawid Malan jotted just 10 runs before he was bowled-out on Sunday morning
  • On Saturday, Malan’s wife Claire had gone into labour at Harrogate Hospital
  • The Malan family’s first child was born Summer Skye six weeks early  


The end of the Ashes signalled not only England’s defeat but the start of fatherhood for Dawid Malan, whose first-born child arrived as he batted against Australia. 

The 34-year-old notched just 10 runs as Joe Root and Co sunk to another catastrophic batting collapse on Sunday, with Australia sweeping the series 4-0. 

While Malan clung on during his final outing Down Under, his wife Claire could hold on no longer. She was expecting a baby girl in six weeks time, but went into labour on Saturday at Harrogate Hospital. 

Dawid Malan’s daughter has been brought into the world, while he was in Ashes action

The Yorkshire star was in Hobart battling the Aussies when his wife, Claire, went into labour

The Yorkshire star was in Hobart battling the Aussies when his wife, Claire, went into labour 

By the time the Yorkshire star was bowled-out by Cameron Green on Sunday morning, he was already a father.  

Below a picture of their day-old daughter’s little feet, Claire announced the name on Instagram: ‘Summer Skye Malan.’

She continued: ‘Our baby girl gave us a huge shock arriving 6 weeks early yesterday. There are no words to explain the love.’ 

Malan will be desperate to rush home to meet his daughter back in Britain, no doubt keen to put England’s miserable trip across the world behind him. 

Malan was bowled-out by Cameron Green the morning after Claire had given birth to Summer

Malan was bowled-out by Cameron Green the morning after Claire had given birth to Summer

Malan will been keen to quickly turn his attention to family life after a rough time Down Under

Malan will been keen to quickly turn his attention to family life after a rough time Down Under 

The London-born star was put under immense pressure by Green’s relentless pace during the final innings, and was hit on the helmet en-route to an eventual dismissal.

Former England captain Alastair Cook gave a damning verdict after watching his nation struggle ever since touching down in enemy territory. 

‘As soon as they get put under pressure you see how much resolve there is. They showed a lot in Sydney and they used it all there,’ Cook said. 

‘That was very tough viewing. That has to be our rock bottom. There cannot be a worse place than getting bowled out in an hour and a half.’