Lankan bowlers can exploit the conditions - Malinga

Chris DHAMBARAGE

Premier fast bowler Lasith Malinga believes that Sri Lanka has the right kind of bowlers to exploit the conditions and to dismiss the Indians for a second time in the ongoing third and final test match at the P. Saravanamuttu Oval in Colombo.

The 26 year old speed star snapped up three wickets in the Indian first innings on day three of the test match to become only the third Sri Lankan bowler to claim one hundred wickets after Muttiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas.

Malinga who made a comeback into test cricket during the opening match of the series in Galle stated that he was delighted to join the select band of cricketers to have captured over one hundred wickets in test cricket.

He said that he had to work hard for his three wickets against the strong Indian batting line up with a little bit of assistance from the wicket. Malinga stated that he tried to bowl more short deliveries to upset the Indians and was rewarded for his speed and perseverance.

Malinga said that he was pleased to return to the test side after having played more one day cricket and Twenty20 cricket for a period of over two years. His initial plan of course was to play only one test match depending on his fitness and the conditions.

But Malinga said that he was more willing to bend his back for his country with the backing up of Sri Lanka's Bowling Coach Champaka Ramanayake. Malinga noted that Ramanayake's guidance and words of advice at the nets really helped him to improve his skill and to bowl fast on a lively wicket.

Malinga also believes that Sri Lanka are still on top of the game although they have lost a couple of early wickets in the second innings.

His hopes are that a total of over 275 runs will be a match winning one with the two spinners Mendis and Randiv expected to play a leading role.