Sri Lanka’s most iconic shorter formats fast bowler Lasith Malinga has delayed his UK trip to join the world cup squad by couple of days due to family reasons, Cricket Age reliably learns. Now Malinga is scheduled to join the team on May 25 and is expected to play in Sri Lanka’s second warm up match against Australia on May 27.
“Illness of one of Malinga’s family member has forced him to delay his departure until 25. He has already informed the ICC about his late arrival for World Cup campaign and the governing body has also given him permission on humanitarian ground” a top SLC official told Cricket Age.
Malinga, with 322 ODI wickets to his name, is expected to spearhead Sri Lanka’s bowling attack in the world cup. At 35, he is still remained One of the most fearsome bowler in world cricket and his exploits in recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) has proved his worth once again. For Mumbai Indians, Malinga was at his destructive best and won many match single handedly for the richest IPL franchise, including the final ball which helped his team to win the coveted trophy record fourth time.
Even though Sri Lanka’s chairman of selectors Asantha De Mel snubbed Malinga from the captaincy just before the World Cup to follow his ‘Godfathers‘ instructions, the iconic bowler has expressed his desire to play the World Cup for his motherland.
Sri Lanka’s opening World Cup match is against New Zealand on June 1, 2019.
Sri Lanka’s World Cup fixtures
1 June: Vs New Zealand at Cardiff
4 June: Vs Afghanistan at Cardiff
7 June: Vs Pakistan at Bristol
11 June: Vs Bangladesh at Bristol
15 June: Vs Australia at The Oval
21 June: Vs England at Leeds
28 June: Vs South Africa at Chester-Le-Street
1 July: Vs West Indies at Chester-Le-Street
6 July: Vs India at Leeds
