Malinga refuses SLC Contract

9 November 2016 08:06 am - 9 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Injured pacer Lasith Malinga had refused the Annual Cricket Contract offered to him by his employer - Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for the 2016/2017 period.

Malinga, the world’s most feared limited over player with a sling arm action is recovering from a stress reaction in the knee.

Malinga suffered the injury during Sri Lanka's home series against the West Indies last November and has played only one competitive game since, missing the World Twenty20 in India as well.

“They (SLC) offered me a contract. But, since I have not played any cricket over a year, I said ‘NO’,” Malinga said in an interview with Daily Mirror.

“ But I am honoured to get a contract even when I am out of cricket for sometime. If I accept it, it’s unfair by others. Instead I told them to give me an opportunity to play.”

In August, Malinga hit the nets as he declared himself fit to play in the limited over series against Australia.
However, he was not selected for the series as the SLC doctors deemed him unfit to play.

Malinga now believes he could make a return to international cricket during the two-match T20 series against South Africa in January next year.

“I think I have recovered around 60 percent now. With over two months left for the series, I think I will be in good physical conditions to play in the T20 series. I don’t want to put too much pressure by playing in the 50-over matches at this stage. So, I will start with the T20s now and hopefully I will be ready for the Champions Trophy in England. I would love to be part of that tournament and give my best to the country,” he added.

Malinga was also critical of the selectors who included him for the World T20 Team despite the injury.

“ I don’t understand their thinking. When I said I am injured, they insisted I play and when I said I am fit, they didn’t select me. Any way I have played over 13 years for my country and I am immensely satisfied with what I have achieved during that period,” he added.

Malinga who is the first bowler since D. S. de Silva to lead the national side said that he expects more bowlers to be given the role of national captaincy.

“Bowlers are as good as anyone to lead the side. I proved it and now Rangana proved it. I hope we will have more bowling skippers in the future,” he concluded. (Sanath Desmond)

Video by Sanath Desmond

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Comments - 9

Cricket Fan Wednesday, 09 November 2016 06:49 AM

Malinga when is the IPL starting via DM Android App

Kaboos Wednesday, 09 November 2016 08:28 AM

Timber shows his class. Sri Lanka cricket should take disciplinary action against him and inform other cricket board not to accommodate in their domestic tournaments.It will be deterent to other players. i

Chandler Wednesday, 09 November 2016 08:34 AM

O' yeah !!

Katus Wednesday, 09 November 2016 09:36 AM

Follow what West Indies Cricket did to Pollard,

Marc Lewis Wednesday, 09 November 2016 09:47 AM

Leave the fellow alone. Let him decide what's best for him.When he's in trouble you and me are not going to help or bail him out.

Roman Wednesday, 09 November 2016 11:19 AM

start with the IPL T20s!

SD Wednesday, 09 November 2016 11:34 AM

Your justification well accepted Malinga. But same time you need to refrain of participating IPL for min 2 years as that's where the injury takes place due to intensity of bowling and pressure since only money talks. Its effecting National side agenda and recovery process is very expensive.

Anja Wednesday, 09 November 2016 04:41 PM

This guy wants to get some match practice before the IPL .

ET Thursday, 10 November 2016 06:15 AM

He is in the twilight of his carrier. He is slow now. So get the best of him by playing him so that young bowlers can associate and catch his finer points. No point in doing anything else.

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Malinga refuses SLC Contract

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