Dawid Malan has a blast as he hits the mark in T20 debut for England

Dawid Malan is hopeful his stunning international debut in Cardiff will help him break into England’s one-day team by the end of the summer.

The Middlesex batsman has had to wait for his chance but, at the age of 29, he produced a ferocious display of power hitting in the third and final T20 against South Africa to set up a series-sealing victory.

Malan’s 78 from 44 balls, an innings that included 14 boundaries, was the highest score by an England T20 debutant.

It helped the hosts set South Africa 182 to win, a target they fell short of as they made 162 for seven in reply.

With the selectors again expected to rest a host of big-name players ahead of this winter’s Ashes, it looks certain Malan will be given further opportunities in the limited-overs internationals against West Indies in September.

“I hope so,” said the left-hander. “The 50-over format is probably my strongest so who knows what this innings has done for me?

“It would be fantastic to be given another opportunity. Obviously it depends if some of the bigger guys are rested again. Hopefully the selectors are looking forward to resting those blokes again and I can get another chance.

“But I can’t think I have made it after one game, I have to keep scoring runs for Middlesex and that’s what I will do.”

​Malan, who will play for Middlesex at Chelmsford today in their pink-ball County Championship match against leaders Essex, added: “I didn’t expect to get 78 off 40-odd balls. I would have taken 20 off 15 and felt like I contributed.

“It’s a fantastic experience representing your country and to contribute as well as I did on my debut to help England win a game and win a series is a fantastic feeling.”

Malan’s performance was hugely important for an England XI that was not only missing Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid - all rested for the series - but also captain Eoin Morgan.

The decision for Morgan to sit the match out with the series on the line was highly contentious, with former England captain Michael Vaughan tweeting: “The world’s gone mad”.

But Morgan defended the move, saying: “We recognise the big opportunity to have a look at younger players. Given the rotation system we have had in the past, it’s important I miss out.

“It’s tough but it’s a call you have to make looking to the long term.”