Former skippers back Malinga

24 April 2011 05:56 am - 17 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Former Sri Lankan captains Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara feel speedster Lasith Malinga has taken the right decision by retiring from test cricket.

The Kochi Tuskers Kerala skipper said Malinga has been suffering from this injury for quite some time and quitting Test cricket would help his dream of playing for Sri Lanka in the World Cup 2015.

The 33-year-old also dispelled the notion that Malinga''s decision was prompted by comments made by a section of the Sri Lankan cricket administration regarding his participation in IPL while declaring himself unfit for the country''s upcoming Test tour of England.

"I feel he has taken the right decision after pondering over all aspects. He has been suffering from this knee injury for quite some time," Jayawardene told reporters on the eve of their IPL match against Rajasthan Royals.

"I know when I was the captain we used to try and calculate his work load and used him accordingly. At times it used to flare up and once he was away from cricket for 16 months.

"In order to extend his career he has to quit test cricket. In fact his target is the next world cup in 2015 and by bidding adieu to tests he has prolonged his career in the shorter version of the game.

"He worked hard to make a fine comeback and is performing brilliantly. He has realised that he can''t sustain that huge work load and perhaps has prolonged his career [by qutting the longer version]. I am very happy for him," said the Sri Lankan skipper.

Wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara on Saturday rubbished talks that Malinga had chosen IPL over national duties when announcing his retirement from Test cricket and said critics should not question his professional commitment.

"It gets confusing when people try and take sides. It can happen when some people criticise Malinga for picking IPL over country. That is all nonsense to me. There is never a stage where Lasith can ever pick IPL over country. Malinga is a dedicated no-nonsense cricketer. He is the toughest no-nonense cricketer I have ever met," Sangakkara told a news channel.

"I don't think there was ever a question Lasith did not want to play Test cricket. He wanted to play in all three formats of the game.

"Unfortunately for him, his body was not able to stand the rigours of Test cricket. He is a guy who gives everything when on the field. So you can't question his commitment. He does not think about the next match or the next series. He only thinks about doing well in that particular match," he added.

Malinga, whose slinging action and devastating yorkers proved to be a nightmare for batsmen the world over, announced his retirement from Test cricket on Friday because of a "long-standing degenerative" knee injury.

The surprise announcement from the fastest bowler ever produced by Sri Lanka, was interpreted as a move to put an end to the selection dispute with the cricket establishment which wanted him to return from the IPL for a rehabilitation programme.

Malinga, who pulled out of Sri Lanka's upcoming Test tour of England citing fitness woes but is leading the wicket tally for Mumbai Indians in the ongoing IPL, clarified that the condition stops him from playing in the Test format only.

"The injury was a career-threatening injury 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," the fast bowler had said in a statement.

"I have since been advised by the national team physiotherapist and my orthopaedic consultant that my condition will deteriorate when fielding or bowling for prolonged periods," he continued.

Sangakkara, skipper of the Deccan Chargers, said the pacer had been suffering from this injury for quite some time and quitting Test cricket would help him concentrate in other two formats of the game.

"His decision was not a surprise to me. He had spoken about it in January this year and looking at his long-term future for Sri Lanka, I think it's the right decision for him taken at the right time.

"We would love to have him playing Test cricket but he has got a condition that he is not going to get better. More Test matches for him might actually mean end of his career.

It's a huge decision that he has taken and a very tough one."

Sangakkara said had the Sri Lankan cricket Board (SLC) forced him to play Test cricket, the country would have lost him as a fast bowler many years ago.

"We did want him to play against India. He was not 100 per cent sure but he came and played and did wonderfully well for us. But it really took a lot out of him. He played the third Test but was left with terrible knee pain and other problems for two months.

"If we had kept asking him to play, we would have lost him as a fast bowler very quickly. It would be a shame not for just the Sri Lankan cricket but for world cricket and Lasith's bright future.

"His playing the IPL in no way jeopardises his chances or commitment towards playing for the country. Lasith will go back [home] after the IPL and selectors will speak to him," he added.

(ESPNstar.com)

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Comments - 17

KAMALAN Sunday, 24 April 2011 10:52 AM

yes good decision guys.

Prasanna Samarasingh Sunday, 24 April 2011 04:52 PM

Bad decision by malinga

meranchi Sunday, 24 April 2011 02:37 PM

there is no problem retire from the whole cricket because, sole out the final game disappointed sri lank an cricket lover's......i

pb Sunday, 24 April 2011 02:36 PM

yah .. now its a question with a negative answer. Aravinda did a good job i guess

Ahamed Sunday, 24 April 2011 02:18 PM

I think he has taken the right decision. There is nothing wrong in earning money for his talent... Its all hard work !

Deshan Sunday, 24 April 2011 12:45 PM

What u are going to say exactly

Jagath Sunday, 24 April 2011 11:13 AM

Anu, why this rule apply only for cricketers??? What about the politicians?????

mohan Sunday, 24 April 2011 11:05 AM

in that case, look round your home, r u using motherland product or imported goods, clean your back first.

Peter Sunday, 24 April 2011 10:45 AM

Cricket in ruins

Sam Sunday, 24 April 2011 06:27 AM

Think good decision! However the way Malinga firing yorkers in IPL and the way he bowled in WC finals - one in an over and that too off target, makes me feel there is something more to it.

DineshWPG Sunday, 24 April 2011 10:47 AM

wait to see him bowls with wet ball at IPL without making stupid comments.

Anu Sunday, 24 April 2011 09:47 AM

Malinga this is not good,First you have think Mother country Second Money.

Nihal Sunday, 24 April 2011 09:37 AM

Why he should exert himself when politicians want sell the matches

Gavel Sunday, 24 April 2011 09:22 AM

Another Political Victim??? where is going SL cricket???

Musthafa Sunday, 24 April 2011 08:41 AM

may be he is busy with bolly wood now, thats why no time for test cricket?

local boy Sunday, 24 April 2011 06:30 AM

Malinga yoked Dulip M .

MagodisThumama Sunday, 24 April 2011 06:44 AM

If you can earn a million in one day...why play five days ?.

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Former skippers back Malinga

Comments - 17

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