Lasith Malinga retires from Test cricket
Sri Lankan fast bowler charismatic pacer Lasith Malinga on Friday retired from Test cricket to prolong his international career.
The unorthodox pacer also clarified that he is available for selection for all Sri Lanka’s ODI and T20 matches.
The pacer announced the retirment after he accused by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) of choosing the Indian Premier League (IPL) over national duties. The Mumbai Indian pacer is the leading wicket-taker in the ongoing IPL 4.
“Although I am sufficiently fit to play both ODI and T20 cricket, I have a long-standing degenerative condition in my right knee that needs to be carefully managed,” Malinga’s statement read.
“The condition relates directly to the chronic knee injury I sustained playing for Sri Lanka in Australia back in February 2008, an injury
that prevented me from playing ODI cricket for 16 months.
“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. 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.
“I did try to return to Test cricket after a three-year absence last year [against India] following requests from the team management and
the selectors, but it left me unfit nursing severe knee pain for two months.
“I have realised that the heavy workload of Test cricket, which requires a fast bowler to be able to bowl more than 15 overs, sometimes on consecutive days, could lead to permanent injury. I have carefully considered my options and have decided that not playing Test
cricket will help me achieve my goal of representing Sri Lanka in the 2012 World Twenty20 and the 2015 World Cup.”
Malinga said he was available for all limited-overs internationals, and planned to travel to Sri Lanka soon to discuss his plans with the
selectors.
Malinga made his international debut in July 2004 and played only 30 Tests and 84 ODIs.
It was Australia’s first series win in India since 1969 and followed a devastating near miss in the memorable 2001 series.
“I just remember from the moment Ricky Ponting got hit on the thumb at Edgbaston in the Champions Trophy,” he said.
“The moment that happened I realised in all likelihood I’d be taking the reins to captain that tour, which had such an amazing build up.
“From that moment on I started to get nervous and had a few self doubts and considered not taking it on.
“To captain that team for the bulk of the series and be part of the leadership group that constructed that group was the highest point and greatest achievement of my career personally,” he said.
