One of the greatest death over bowlers that world cricket has seen, Lasith Malinga is now struggling to find a spot in the playing squad. Will it be curtains for him in 2018?
Free hit contributor – Adeeb Saleemdeen
Malinga, the 34-year-old veteran pacemen made his international debut back in 2004. His 1st game was a Test against the Aussies, but he was sidelined often as injuries played spoilsport at different points of his career and he was in and out in the playing XI. Malinga grabbed the eye of many across the world because of his unique bowling action.
The veteran pacer who played almost 300 international matches claimed close to 500 dismissals in all three formats of the game, making him one of the most dependable bowlers for Sri Lanka.
With injuries coming too often, as time has gone by, the usual pace and penetrativeness of the ‘slinga’ has been missing in the recent past. Known as the toe crusher of modern day cricket, Malinga’s yorkers have now lost their potence as batsmen find it easier to face them with his loss in pace.
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Malinga has an excellent record in ODIs, picking up 301 wickets at an average of 28.92 and a healthy economy rate of under 6. He is one of the most prominent bowlers in T20 cricket, claiming 90 wickets at an average of 19.77. However, his recent performances, have cost him, with his economy rate sliding over 7.
A phenomenal World Cup debut in 2007
‘Slinga’ Malinga shot to the limelight at the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies as he achieved the phenomenal feat of picking up 4 wickets in 4 deliveries against South Africa. The game was sliding away from Sri Lanka but Malinga produced a deadly spell out of nowhere to nearly take them to an improbable win. Sri Lanka entered the final of this grand event but couldn’t end the campaign as champions, losing out to the mighty Aussies. Malinga ended the event well, picking up 18 wickets and finishing 5th on the list of highest
wicket takers. The 2011 World Cup was also a reasonable outing for the yorker king as Sri Lanka finished the tournament as second best once again. Malinga was brilliant as usual in the finals, sending off the formidable duo of Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar back to the pavilion within the 1st 10 overs, but unfortunately that performance did not result in a win.
The 2012 T20 World Cup also didn’t end as the fans anticipated. Sri Lanka couldn’t execute their plans in the finals but fielded a solid team with the likes of Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Lasith Malinga. Malinga picked up 8 wickets in this tournament, playing the supporting role to the highest wicket taker of this contest, Ajantha Mendis.
The taste of World Cup triumph to the Lions
After the Asia Cup victory, the Lankans were ready and waiting to take on the T20 World Cup. Malinga also played a key role in the Asia Cup 2014, being the highest wicket taker in that competition and holding the record of the highest wicket taker in Asia cup history. Sri Lanka featured in the World Cup under the captaincy of Dinesh Chandimal, but the duties were shifted to Malinga in the finals with the latter opting to sit out due to lack of form.
Malinga was brilliant once again in the death overs and he got good support from Nuwan Kulasekara as finalists India didn’t get a chance to play their expansive brand of cricket. Sangakkara guided the team home as Sri Lanka were crowned champions under the captaincy of Malinga. Sri Lanka’s 1st World Cup win since their 96 heroics.
2016/2017, disappointing times for the champion bowler
The 2015 World Cup was a disappointing story for islanders as they couldn’t even breakthrough to the semifinals. Lasith Malinga suffered from several injuries over the years and this vastly experienced player found it hard to find a place in the side. 2016 was disappointing for Malinga and Sri Lanka. The team didn’t have the temperament to compete with the top sides and that resulted early exits from the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup 2016.
Malinga was ruled out for a few months and made his comeback in February 2017 in a T20 series in Australia. Sri Lanka claimed the series victory but, lacking his customary pace, Malinga wasn’t performing up to expectations.
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For the Sri Lankans 2017, Malinga was disappointing again with the ball as Sri Lanka as a whole faced a dismal year in all formats, and was rested during the tour of U.A.E and was left out for the ongoing ODIs against India.
Sri Lanka now has the likes of Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Gamage, Vishwa Fernando and Dushmantha Chameera and the leader of the pack Suranga Lakmal, meaning the team is slowly building for the time after Malinga.
Mumbai Indian cap for IPL- 11th edition tentative
The most successful bowler in IPL history, Malinga has dismissed 154 batsmen and is at the top of the highest wicket takers list. Malinga has been a great ambassador for the Mumbai Indians franchise, playing all the 10 seasons with them. It’s been a great relationship between Mumbai Indians and Malinga as they claimed 3 championships during his time there.
However, his recent performances have let down the champion bowler and now his place in this champion outfit is in doubt. The new retention policies have taken place with a team able to retain only five players and overseas player retention limited to two. Reports suggest that Malinga would feature in the auction of the IPL 11 and still has a chance to play for Mumbai Indians for the eleventh consecutive year, IF the owners pick him.
Malinga also featured in BPL 2017, possibly a tournament that could be looked at to judge his state, and put on a reasonable performance, taking wickets in almost every game, however, he was expensive in a few matches as well.
What will new coach Hathurusinghe expect from Malinga
Chandika Hathurusinghe, the man behind Bangladesh’s success, has joined hands with Sri Lanka and it will be interesting to see what he thinks of Malinga’s future in the national team. The new selectors have axed Malinga and gone for other options but the veteran fast bowler will be hoping to lift up his performance and get in contention once again.
The new coaching staff and selectors are eyeing the 2019 World Cup, will they go for Malinga as he is one of the experienced campaigners or will they invest in young blood?
*Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ThePapare.com
