Ready to play ODI and T20 for Sri Lanka:

SLC never wanted me to return - Lasith Malinga

Chris DHAMBARAGE

Sri Lanka’s premier fast bowler Lasith Malinga yesterday officially announced his retirement from Test cricket at a media briefing held at the Galle Face Hotel yesterday.

The dynamic fast bowler stated that he made this decision after careful consideration and would not reconsider his move despite a World Test Championship coming up next year.

Lasith Malinga addressing the mediamen yesterday at Galle Face Hotel. Picture by Nissanka Wijeratne

Malinga said that he made this decision for the betterment of his career because he had a bitter experience when he was injured and was out of the game for some time on the previous occasion.

He was completely ignored and even removed from the SLC contract on that occasion which put him in a critical situation which really hurt him.

I believe the national selectors understood my position and the meeting was very cordial. I would like to thank them for being understanding of my condition and supportive of my decision.

Malinga also reaffirmed that he is committed to playing for his country although he is currently the most successful bowler in the high profile Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament.

My priority is to represent Sri Lanka in as many ICC events as possible and I am fully available for selection for all Sri Lanka’s One Day Internationals and Twenty20 internationals.

Malinga also denied earlier reports that he had been ordered home for rehabilitation while competing in the Indian Premier League. “Neither the selectors or Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) asked me to return home from the IPL”.

Malinga further noted that not playing Test cricket will help him to achieve his ultimate goal of representing Sri Lanka at the 2012 Twenty20 World Cup at home and at the 2015 ICC World Cup in Australia/New Zealand.

The 27 year old speed star said that the heavy workload of test cricket which requires a fast bowler to be able to bowl more than 15 overs on consecutive days could lead to a permanent injury.

“I did try to return to Test cricket after a three year absence last year following requests from the team management and the selectors but it left me unfit nursing severe knee pain for two months”.

Malinga said that his ankle injury is a rare occurrence among sportsmen and commended the efforts of Dr. Eliantha White and Australian Dr. David Young for their guidance during the past few years.

“The injury relates directly to the chronic knee injury I sustained playing in Australia back in February 2008 that prevented me from playing One Day International cricket for 16 months”.

The injury was a career threatening one and my orthopaedic surgeon was of the opinion that given his experience with other professional athletes in Australia I was very fortunate to play again.

Therefore I decided to stop playing Test cricket to prolong my career as a national cricketer for Sri Lanka. Although I am sufficiently fit to play both One Day Internationals and Twenty20 cricket I have a long standing degenerative condition in my right knee that needs to be carefully managed. \Malinga said that there was no pressure from Sri Lanka Cricket to continue playing Test cricket and it was better making a final decision on his career after discussing with his family.

“I wrote to the selectors and the Cricket Board last Friday confirming this and the same afternoon I released a statement to the media. After the World Cup I was telephoned by the chairman of selectors and asked about my availability for the England tour.

I explained to him about the problem with my knee and my concerns about playing Test cricket.