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Lasith Malinga gives domestic one-dayer a miss to focus on IPL role
Despite being named in Dambulla’s squad, Lasith Malinga has chosen to stay in India, where he is currently serving as is a bowling mentor to the Mumbai Indians squad
Just a day after Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had made its stance on Lasith Malinga’s possible return to the national squad clear, stating that it would depend on the 34-year-old’s willingness to playing domestic cricket, the pacer has missed the first game of Sri Lanka’s domestic inter-provincial one-day tournament, which got underway on Thursday.
Despite being named in Dambulla’s squad, Malinga has chosen to stay in India, where he is currently serving as is a bowling mentor to the Mumbai Indians squad. But he still remains hopeful of making the ODI team when Sri Lanka host South Africa starting July based on a statement made by him last week.
“My work with the Mumbai Indians is due to end on about May 25 or 26. But after that I am fit enough to train, play whatever practice matches that are scheduled, and if I am good enough, the selectors can pick me,” ESPN Cricinfo quoted Malinga as saying.
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“The selectors wanted him back, and he has to play domestic cricket according to them. We’re playing our white-ball tournament, and 50-over and T20. I’m sure before the next international engagement which is South Africa and then the Asia Cup and so forth, he needs to play T20 games and 50 overs. If Lasith is not playing a domestic tournament, the selectors will have to make a call,” SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala had said.
SLC CEO Ashley de Silva said: “He has made himself available for selection and selectors have also picked him to play in one of the provinces. He hasn’t given any indication that he would be retiring, neither have the selectors given him an indication that they would not be considering him. So therefore if he performs well domestically he will be considered.”
Malinga, who was unsold at the Indian Premier League has not played for Sri Lanka since September last year. He had played in SLC’s club T20 tournament in January-February where he finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker, with 17 scalps.
