NEWSNOW | COLOMBO – Malinga’s chances of playing for Sri Lanka in doubt”
Lasith Malinga’s international future has been put in further doubt after Sri Lanka Cricket has conveyed him that the only way he could get back into the team was by playing domestic cricket.
Malinga was up for selection in Sri Lanka’s domestic Inter-Provincial one-day tournament, which begins today (May 02).
However, prior to the announcement of squads, he stated that he would not be returning to the island until the end of the IPL, where he is serving as Mumbai Indians’ bowling mentor.
Despite performing well in T20s domestically over the last few months, picking up 17 wickets in 8 matches at an average of 11.35, Malinga was overlooked for the Nidahas Trophy in March. In fact, he hasn’t played for Sri Lanka since last September, having returned from a lengthy injury layoff at the start of 2017.
Since then, his ODI form – 10 wickets in 13 ODIs at an average of 62 – has been patchy.
He has had a good run in T20s, picking up 12 wickets in six games at 16.50. Malinga believes this, along with his domestic form, warrants a return to the national team starting with Sri Lanka’s home series against South Africa in July.
SLC CEO Ashley De Silva assured Malinga was still in the minds of selectors but said that his future inclusion hinged on the fast bowler proving himself domestically.
