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Back to form of old with figures of 3 for 15:
Malinga to fire for Melbourne Stars
Sri Lanka’s slinging bowling sensation Lasith Malinga is big news and
a big draw wherever he plys his trade. And it is no different here in
Australia too. Malinga arrived in Australia having signed to play for
Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League and will be seen in action on
Friday against the Melbourne Renegedes on Friday at the Etihad Stadium.
Malinga seems to have put the thrashing he received at the hands of
West Indies batsmen, especially from Marlon Samuels who pummelled him
for the majority of runs in the four overs he bowled for 55 runs as a
bad dream and is now bowling with the fire of old.
When Sri Lanka lost the Twenty20 final to the West Indies the entire
blame fell on Malinga for his wayward bowling which helped the Windies
recover from a slow start and finally post a match winning target.
Playing for the Hawthorn-Monash—University at Clayton in a Premier
Cricket Twenty20 the slinger finished with figures of 3 for 15 in 3
overs against Footscray Edgewater and showed that he has regained his
thirst for this style of game.
If he continues top bowl in this devastating form, Melbourne Stars
would be happy that they signed a speedster who has the firepower to win
them the trophy. After his 3 for 15 spell. Malinga told the ‘HERALD
SUN’, that he has regained his old form and is looking forward to this
tournament. He further said that everything is working well and so too
the body.
The Melbourne Stars are hoping that Malinga will provide the fire in
an attack that also has Aussie stars Clint McKay and John Hastings. When
asked about the Stars attack Malinga said they are good and genuine
bowlers.
Malinga also revealed that he is looking forward for the Big Bash
tournament and loves to play in Melbourne because there is a big
contingent of Sri Lankans living in Melbourne.
When Sri Lanka beat Australia to enter the finals of the Tri series
early this year in Australia which tourney also had India there were 30
thousand Sri Lankans cheering and encouraging the Sri Lankan cricketers.
Malinga at one time was toying with the idea of returning to play Test
cricket for Sri Lanka. But has apparently put on hold that idea and is
still concentrating on playing in the money spinning limited over game.
The Sri Lankan cricketers led by Mahela Jayewardene arrived in
Canberra for Three Test series and will have Malinga with them when the
Five one-day Internationals and Two Twenty20 games are played after the
Test series. Canberra, Monday |
