Malinga : Aggressive in bowling but mild in common life

Aggressive in bowling but mild in common life Lasith Malinga is talk of the cricketing world for many a reasons.

A new star in the comity of Sri Lanka cricket is in Abu Dhabi with his team to play three-match one-day series against Pakistan, talked candidly about his game and common life.

While talking to Khaleej Times at Royal Meridian hotel in Abu Dhabi, the fast bowler said, “People question my bowling action but there is nothing wrong with it.

“In the beginning, some of the experts told me to change my action but it is not possible.

“It is quite natural and I am perfectly at ease with it. Champaka Ramanaike, my bowling coach at Galle Cricket Club, advised me not to tinker with my action. It will have adverse effects on my performance.

“I can bowl really fast and results are quite obvious. I want to bring more laurels for my country.”

About his journey to stardom he said, “Cricket is my passion and I started bowling with leather ball at the age of 17. I have played cricket at school and college level.

“I joined Galle Cricket Club in 2001 and it turned out to be a turning point in my life.”

“I embarked on my first international tour to Australia in 2004 where I played a practice match and got 7 wickets for 19 runs. Selectors gave me the chance to play Test in Darwin and I responded with six wickets in two innings.

“From then on, I am representing my country in both versions of the game.”

Commenting on his four wickets on four balls against South Africa in the World Cup, he said, “It was a nice feeling because by that time it was a lost cause for Sri Lanka. But we fought well and went very close to a very unlikely victory.

“It would have been nicer, had we won the match.”

The smiling assassin added, “Cricket is everything to me and if I am not playing I want to relax and sleep a lot.”

“I am free man and don’t want so many restrictions on my life.”

When asked to name top batsmen in the world, he said, “Kumar Sangakkara, Marvan Atapattu, Adam Gilchrist, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar.”

Man with a unique hairstyle is a big fan of former Pakistan great Waqar Younis.

“I am a big follower of Waqar and his ability to reverse swing both ways was quite phenomenal. Bowlers of Waqar’s calibre are a rare species these days.

“Another one of the greats from Pakistani fast bowlers and other part of two Ws, Wasim Akram passed on some tip to me how to bowl reverse swing and it really helped me a lot.”

When asked about being tagged as sexiest cricketer in the present lot, he smiled and said, “I feel great for this attribute. It is fans’ way of judging and I am very thankful to them.”

One of the most loved players in Sri Lanka team has no plans to tie the knot in near future as he said, “I am still very young and like to enjoy life to the hilt. There is no need to get caught in that sort of relationship so early.”

Source : Khaleej Times

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Sri Lanka team gives Moody a Fitting Farewell

Shahid Afridi and Mahela Jayawardane share the man of the series award following the 3rd One Day International cricket match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Sheik Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

World Cup finalists Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 115 runs in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday in their third and final one day international. Sri Lanka made 296-9 off 50 overs while Pakistan could only muster 181 all out off 42.5 overs.
It was also the farewell game for Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody, who is scheduled to take up a coaching assignment in Wesrtern Australia. However Assistant Coach Trevor Penny will remain until Bangladesh’s tour of Sri Lanka is over. It was also the last assignment for Manager Michael Tissera who will say goodbye to the team.

Skipper Mahela Jayawardene led a Sri Lankan fightback in the Warid Cricket Series with a classy innings of 83 and post a challenging total against Pakistan in their third and final match.

Having hit a brisk 61 in the previous game, Mahela was in superb form as he struck 2 majestic sixes and 7 boundaries in his 83 off just 81 balls.

Keeping Jayawardene company was “Mr Consistent” Chamara Silva (64 in 87 balls) adding a valuable 124 for the fourth wicket.

From the openers, Tharanga was pretty aggressive with 6 boundaries in his 40, while Jayasuriya sparkled briefly with a six and 2 fours.

Last-gasp cameos from Tillekaratne Dilshan and Lasith Malinga ensured that Sri Lanka came within sight of the 300-mark after some rash stroke play and indifferent running had threatened to derail the innings. Dilshan drove home the advantage with a quickfire 28 off just 14 balls with one six and three fours and Sri Lanka reached 296 for 9 in their 50 overs. The eighteen that came off the last over bowled by the otherwise impressive Rao Ifitkhar meant that Pakistan needed to reach a target of 297 in order to complete a 3-0 whitewash.

Dilhara Fernando, an accurate set of throws and the omnipresent panic button accompanying the Pakistan team earned Sri Lanka a well-deserved victory in the final match of the ODI series in Abu Dhabi and avoid a series whitewash.

Fernando captured three wickets, including a two-in-two, and Tillekaratne Dilshan inflicted two direct hits as Pakistan lost their way after a relatively decent start.

Additionally both Maharoof and Kaushal Lokuarrachi shared four wickets between each other.

Dilhara Fernando was adjudged Man of the Match while both Mahela Jayawardene and Shahid Afridi shared the honors for the Man of the series.

Leading Batsman of the Series: Mahela Jayawardene – 162 runs (avg. 54.00), hs: 83
Leading Bowler of the Series: Farveez Maharoof – 6 wkts (avg. 25.83), bb: 3/65

The victory sealed a perfect send off to Tom Moody, Sri Lanka’s out-going coach, and also marks the end of a hectic schedule for Sri Lanka who barely had any rest after their hugely successful World Cup campaign. However, based on the display of energy and commitment shown in the field tonight, Moody leaves behind a team well equipped to take on mighty challenges in the future even without the services of their star performers.

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