Chandika Hathurusingha Opens Up On Lasith Malinga's Future With Sri Lankan Team

Sri Lanka head coach Chandika Hathurusingha has insisted veteran pacer Lasith Malinga is still in the team management’s selection plans.

Malinga’s career has taken a turn for the worse since he returned to action last year following a lengthy spell on the sidelines. He had looked like a pale shadow of his former self since returning after a 19-month ODI layoff during the Champions Trophy.

The right-arm pacer managed to pick up just ten wickets in 13 games at a paltry average of 62.30 since his comeback including the poor series against India at home where he took only three wickets in as many games.

He has not made it to the national team since the series against India.

Later, he did well domestically in T20 cricket, picking up 17 wickets in eight matches at an average of 11.35. However, he could not find a place in the team for the Nidahas Trophy in March. He was recently overlooked for selection for the forthcoming one-off T20 against South Africa on Tuesday.

What made matters worse for him was his decision to skip domestic tournament. Malinga was due to play in Sri Lanka’s domestic Inter-Provincial one-day tournament in May this year. However, just before the announcement of the squads, Malinga pulled out his name, saying he would not be returning to Sri Lanka until the end of the IPL. He went on to ply his trade as Mumbai Indians’ bowling mentor.

The turn of events have made many believe that Malinga’s international career is as good as over. However, Hathurusingha has said the pacer could still make it to the team. The coach also said that Malinga needs to play domestic cricket in order to prove his credentials.

“As long as what the selectors want is fulfilled, Malinga is in our plans,” Hathurusingha said. “He needs to come and play domestic cricket and we are not going to make exceptions for anybody. The team is number one. The team culture has to be protected. We are not treating him differently. He is a quality player. He needs to show that he is capable of delivering what he has done in the past. Not only with bowling, but fielding as well. There’s a good opportunity for him to come and play the domestic T20 tournament if he is willing to play. If he is performing he is in our plans.”