Lasith Malinga Biography
Not since the retirement of Jeff Thomson has cricket seen a better slinging bowler than Malinga. The Galle born speedster is one of very few world class pacers, Sri Lanka has produced over the years.
Growing up in humble circumstances, Malinga used to play on the sandy beaches of Galle with a soft ball where he developed his unique round arm action to deliver toe crushing yorkers. Former Sri Lankan pacer Ramanayaka identified his unique ability and invited him to join the Sri Lankan Cricket Foundation. He later made his debut for Galle in 2001-02 and developed a fearsome reputation in domestic cricket for hurling deliveries at breakneck pace and was also difficult to pick because of his unique action. After taking 6 wickets for 90 against Northern Territory Chief Minister's XI he was selected for Sri Lanka’s tour of Australia in 2004. It was clearly thought out move as Malinga was the type of bowler Australian batsman would not have faced even in domestic cricket.
The move paid off as he clearly rattled the Australian batsman picking 10 wickets in the two tests. In Napier in 2005, he ripped through New Zealand’s batting order bagging 9 wickets in the game. He made his ODI debut against UAE and was one of Sri Lanka’s standout bowlers in the 2007 WC. After Vaas’ retirement, Malinga has developed as the leader of the pace bowling pack.
A wonderful exponent of the yorker, Malinga’s awkward action also helps him generate disconcerting bounce and also has a very well disguised slower delivery up his arsenal. He has however had his share of injuries and has been out of the side on several occasions. Sri Lanka will be hoping that their top dog can remain fit in WC 2011 and can hopefully deliver the Cup to the islanders.
Fast Facts
He is Sri Lanka's fastest bowler to claim 100 wickets in ODI's and currently their third highest wicket taker.
He is only Sri Lanka's second pace bowler to have taken more than 100 wickets in Tests.
He is the first ever player to take four wickets in four consecutive balls in international cricket which he achieved against South Africa in the 2007 WC.
He has the honour of claiming the 5th hat-trick taker in WC history, 3rd by a Sri Lankan and the only the 24th in ODI history.
He was Sri Lanka’s 2nd highest wicket taker in the 2007 WC.
He is also one of Sri Lanka’s top two wicket takers in T20’s.
In 2010, he combined with Rangana Herath to create a Sri Lankan 8th wicket record partnership of 115 against India at Galle.
Angelo Matthews and Lasith Malinga together recorded the highest ever ninth-wicket partnership in ODI history (132) in a game against Australia in 2010.
Not since the retirement of Jeff Thomson has cricket seen a better slinging bowler than Malinga. The Galle born speedster is one of very few world class pacers, Sri Lanka has produced over the years.
Growing up in humble circumstances, Malinga used to play on the sandy beaches of Galle with a soft ball where he developed his unique round arm action to deliver toe crushing yorkers. Former Sri Lankan pacer Ramanayaka identified his unique ability and invited him to join the Sri Lankan Cricket Foundation. He later made his debut for Galle in 2001-02 and developed a fearsome reputation in domestic cricket for hurling deliveries at breakneck pace and was also difficult to pick because of his unique action. After taking 6 wickets for 90 against Northern Territory Chief Minister's XI he was selected for Sri Lanka’s tour of Australia in 2004. It was clearly thought out move as Malinga was the type of bowler Australian batsman would not have faced even in domestic cricket.
The move paid off as he clearly rattled the Australian batsman picking 10 wickets in the two tests. In Napier in 2005, he ripped through New Zealand’s batting order bagging 9 wickets in the game. He made his ODI debut against UAE and was one of Sri Lanka’s standout bowlers in the 2007 WC. After Vaas’ retirement, Malinga has developed as the leader of the pace bowling pack.
A wonderful exponent of the yorker, Malinga’s awkward action also helps him generate disconcerting bounce and also has a very well disguised slower delivery up his arsenal. He has however had his share of injuries and has been out of the side on several occasions. Sri Lanka will be hoping that their top dog can remain fit in WC 2011 and can hopefully deliver the Cup to the islanders.
Fast Facts
He is Sri Lanka's fastest bowler to claim 100 wickets in ODI's and currently their third highest wicket taker.
He is only Sri Lanka's second pace bowler to have taken more than 100 wickets in Tests.
He is the first ever player to take four wickets in four consecutive balls in international cricket which he achieved against South Africa in the 2007 WC.
He has the honour of claiming the 5th hat-trick taker in WC history, 3rd by a Sri Lankan and the only the 24th in ODI history.
He was Sri Lanka’s 2nd highest wicket taker in the 2007 WC.
He is also one of Sri Lanka’s top two wicket takers in T20’s.
In 2010, he combined with Rangana Herath to create a Sri Lankan 8th wicket record partnership of 115 against India at Galle.
Angelo Matthews and Lasith Malinga together recorded the highest ever ninth-wicket partnership in ODI history (132) in a game against Australia in 2010.
Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga 6 Wickets Sri Lanka vs Kenya World Cup 2011
Lasith Malinga Vs NZ - 1st Semi final World Cup 2007
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