Lasith Malinga will serve as Sri Lanka’s “bowling strategy” coach for the next white-ball segment of their tour of Australia, which will take place later this month. According to a report published by the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Malinga will collaborate with the national team offering tactical analysis and technical knowledge to support the on-field implementation of strategic initiatives.
While Sri Lanka visited Australia previously this year, the previous skipper served in the same position as he did then. In the most recent Indian Premier League (IPL) season, he played for the Rajasthan Royals (RR), who advanced all the way to the championship game.
“Malinga’s tactical insight and technical expertise to help the on-field execution of strategic plans”, read SLC statement.
“Sri Lanka Cricket is confident that Malinga’s vast experience and renowned death-bowling expertise, especially in the T20 format, will help the team immensely going into this all-important series,” SLC further added in the statement.
Despite the success of their bowlers, Sri Lanka was defeated by Australia in that five-game series by a score of 4-1. However, the Australian batting lineup was held to a total score of 164/6 over all five games.
In the beginning, the political unrest in Sri Lanka cast a shadow over the whole series, which will comprise 2 tests, five one-day internationals, and three twenty-over internationals played by Australia. However, SLC recently announced who will be on their T20 team and affirmed that the series would continue as scheduled. The first Twenty20 International series will take place in Colombo on June 7th.
“We’ve been keeping in regular contact with the governments of both countries and SLC and all is good and there are no changes to the plans. The T20 squad is leaving Australia tomorrow afternoon. They’re looking forward to the tour, with the three T20 games an important part of the build-up to the ICC World Cup in Australia in October-November”, a CA source said.
Nuwanidu Fernando, a promising top-order batsman, and Matheesha Pathirana, a right-arm bowler, both received their first-ever call-ups to Sri Lanka’s Twenty20 International team on Thursday, as the island nation announced the 18-player roster for the forthcoming T20Is.
Sri Lanka’s 18-Man Squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Dushmantha Chameera, Kusal Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwanidu Fernando, Lahiru Madushanka, Nuwan Thushara, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Praveen Jayawickrama, Matheesha Pathirana, Ramesh Mendis, Lakshan Sandakan.
