Lasith Malinga named Sri Lanka’s bowling strategy coach for Australia series

Legendary Lasith Malinga, the former fast bowler and captain, has been appointed Sri Lanka’s bowling strategy coach for the upcoming white-ball fixtures of their home series against Australia next week.

Notably, Malinga had occupied a similar role when Sri Lanka toured Australia for a five-match T20I series in February earlier this year. Though Sri Lanka lost the series 4-1, the bowlers did manage to impress as the highest total that Australia could manage across five games was 164/6.

“Malinga, during the tour, will support Sri Lanka’s bowlers, providing tactical insight and technical expertise to help the on-field execution of strategic plans,” Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said in a press release.

“Sri Lanka Cricket is confident that Malinga’s vast experience and renowned death-bowling expertise, especially in the T20 format, will help the team immensely going into this all-important series,” the release added.

Malinga also served as a bowling mentor for Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the recently-concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. Under his leadership, the Royals’ bowlers put up a dominant show, as Yuzvendra Chahal bagged the purple cap after finishing IPL 2022 with 27 wickets in 17 games. Notably, the Sanju Samson-led Royals reached the final of the tournament for the first time since 2008 but lost to Gujarat Titans (GT) by seven wickets.

The three-match T20I series is set to begin on 7 June in Colombo. Recently, Sri Lanka had named an 18-member squad for the upcoming T20Is, which featured maiden call-ups for the young pair of Nuwanidu Fernando – the top-order batter – and Matheesha Pathirana – the right-arm pacer. Further, star leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga and wicketkeeper-batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa have also returned to the T20I squad.