Legendary Lasith Malinga, the previous quick bowler and captain, has been appointed Sri Lanka’s bowling strategy coach for the upcoming white-ball fixtures of their residence series towards Australia subsequent week.
Notably, Malinga had occupied an identical function when Sri Lanka toured Australia for a five-match T20I series in February earlier this 12 months. Though Sri Lanka misplaced the series 4-1, the bowlers did handle to impress as the best complete that Australia might handle throughout 5 video games was 164/6.
“Malinga, during the tour, will support Sri Lanka’s bowlers, providing tactical insight and technical expertise to help the on-field execution of strategic plans,” Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) stated in a press launch.
“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,” the discharge added.
Malinga additionally served as a bowling mentor for Rajasthan Royals (RR) within the recently-concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. Under his management, the Royals’ bowlers put up a dominant present, as Yuzvendra Chahal bagged the purple cap after ending IPL 2022 with 27 wickets in 17 video games. Notably, the Sanju Samson-led Royals reached the ultimate of the event for the primary time since 2008 however misplaced to Gujarat Titans (GT) by seven wickets.
The three-match T20I series is ready to start on 7 June in Colombo. Recently, Sri Lanka had named an 18-member squad for the upcoming T20Is, which featured maiden call-ups for the younger pair of Nuwanidu Fernando – the top-order batter – and Matheesha Pathirana – the right-arm pacer. Further, star leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga and wicketkeeper-batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa have additionally returned to the T20I squad.