Sri Lanka Cricket Asks Lasith Malinga to Play Domestic Games for National Recall

Lasith Malinga‘s already pretty much derailed international career has taken yet another blow.

The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has made it clear that the bowler can return to the team only by playing domestic cricket.

The right-arm pacer was due to play in Sri Lanka’s domestic Inter-Provincial one-day tournament. The competition will get underway from May 2.

However, just before the announcement of the squads, Malinga pulled out his name until the time being, saying he would not be returning to Sri Lanka until the end of the IPL. He is currently plying his trade as Mumbai Indians‘ bowling mentor.

“The selectors wanted him back, and he has to play domestic cricket according to them,” SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala said. “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.”

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 34-year old had 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 been included in 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.

With the selectors not pinning their faith in Malinga anymore, there are speculations that his career is as good as over.

However, SLC CEO, Ashley De Silva assured Malinga was still in the minds of selectors. At the same time, he said his future inclusion hinges on how the pacer does domestically.

“He has made himself available for selection. The selectors have also picked him to play in one of the provinces,” de Silva said. “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.”