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Exhausted post IPL, Malinga pulls out of Middlesex deal. posted under: Sri Lanka | All news |
Following a grueling IPL schedule, Lasith Malinga has withdrawn from playing for Middlesex in the county T20 championship. Malinga ‘the slinga’ had signed up to join the Middlesex team for their FLT20 series, for 8 matches..
His Middlesex campaign was to start on June 21, just after Sri Lanka’s home series of T20s and ODIs against Pakistan. The 28 year old Malinga, whose ‘slingshot-like’ bowling action has tones of fans, has already retired from test cricket. His busy schedule (first with Mumbai Indians in the IPL and the series against Pakistan) is bound to make him feel some amount of fatigue. Malinga has complained of soreness in his back and knee and has been advised rest to avoid any further injuries that might snowball into something serious or career threatening.
Middlesex Director of Cricket Andy Fraser expressed great disappointment over losing out on the opportunity of having Malinga in the ranks. According to the BBC, Fraser said, “Everyone at the club was looking forward to working with and watching Lasith play for The Panthers (the Middlesex team). His presence would have added a healthy dose of star dust to proceedings.”
However, explaining that he understood Malinga’s reasons for withdrawing from the seven game deal, Fraser said, “I totally understand Lasith's concerns - his workload has been and is high - but I am disappointed we are the side to be denied of his services.”
Despite having taken 22 wickets at an average of 15.90 for the Mumbai Indians, Malinga’s performances were restricted by his niggling knee and back. With an important series against Pakistan on the anvil, it was important for the Sri Lankan board to advise Malinga to take some rest.
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