Sri Lanka’s most iconic shorter formats fast bowler Lasith Malinga is set to return to the island, after the death of his mother in law, Cricket Age learns. After match against Bangladesh at Bristol today, Malinga will return to Sri Lanka and is expected to rejoin the team on June 14.
“Lasith’s mother in law has expired. He might come after the match to SL to come back on the 14th” a top SLC official told Cricket Age.
“The remains of late Mrs. Kanthi Perera lie at the Barney Raymond Funeral Home at Colombo 08 and the funeral will take place on Thursday, 13th June at the Borella Cemetery,” later a Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) media release stated.
Malinga, with 324 ODI wickets to his name, is expected to spearhead Sri Lanka’s bowling attack in the world cup. At 35, he is still remained One of the most fearsome bowler in world cricket and his exploits in recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) has proved his worth once again. For Mumbai Indians, Malinga was at his destructive best and won many match single handedly for the richest IPL franchise, including the final ball which helped his team to win the coveted trophy record fourth time.
The iconic bowler has expressed his desire to play the World Cup for his motherland.
Cricket Age expresses deepest condolences to Malinga on this time of sorrow and grief!
Sri Lanka did not have the best of starts to their World Cup campaign going down by 10 wickets in the opener against New Zealand. The Islanders though made a strong comeback in their next outing against Afghanistan winning a rain-marred encounter by 34 runs (DLS). Malinga returned impressive figures of 3/39 in the game along with Nuwan Pradeep who picked up four wickets.
Their next encounter against Pakistan was washed out and Sri Lanka are currently placed sixth on the team standings with three points after three games.
Sri Lanka have already been dented a blow with pacer Pradeep ruled out for the clash against Bangladesh after dislocating his little finger during practice. He is expected to regain full fitness in a week’s time but a timeline on his return is still unclear.
“Nuwan was given treatment at the hospital, while the doctors reset his dislocated finger and the cut on his finger was closed with stitches. He was also administered with antibiotics,” team manager Asantha De Mel said. “Pradeep will not take part in Sri Lanka’s game against Bangladesh on Tuesday, as he will need a week’s time to recover from the injury.”
Sri Lanka’s remaining World Cup fixtures
11 June: Vs Bangladesh at Bristol
15 June: Vs Australia at The Oval
21 June: Vs England at Leeds
28 June: Vs South Africa at Chester-Le-Street
1 July: Vs West Indies at Chester-Le-Street
6 July: Vs India at Leeds
