MAHELA, KUMAR BACK MALINGA’S DECISION

Jaipur/Hyderabad: When cricket administrators in Sri Lanka blamed Lasith Malinga for picking IPL over country in the wake of his retirement from Test cricket, the slinger got staunch support from his teammates.

Former Sri Lankan captains, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, backed Malinga’s decision to quit Test cricket to prolong his international career.

“I feel he has taken the right decision after pondering over all aspects. He has been suffering from this knee injury for quite some time,” Jayawardene said on Saturday.

Malinga cited a “long-standing degenerative condition” in his right knee for his retirement from Test cricket.

Endorsing the speedster’s decision, Jayawardene added: “I know when I was the captain we used to try and calculate his work load and used him accordingly. At times, it used to flare up and once he was away from cricket for 16 months.

“In order to extend his career he has to quit Test cricket. In fact, his target is next world cup in 2015 and by bidding adieu to Tests he has prolonged his career in the shorter versions of the game.

“He had worked hard and made a fine comeback and is performing brilliantly. He has realised that he can’t sustain that huge workload and, perhaps, has prolonged his career. I am very happy for him.”

Kumar Sangakkara was equally effusive in his praise and support for the fast bowler. “It gets confusing when people try and take sides.

“There is never a stage where Lasith can ever pick IPL over country. He is a dedicated no-nonsense cricketer. He is the toughest no-nonsense cricketer I have ever met,” Sangakkara told a television channel.

Malinga’s surprise announcement was interpreted as a move to put an end to the selection dispute with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), which wanted him to return from IPL for rehab.

The speedster had pulled out of Sri Lanka’s upcoming Test tour of England citing Injury. But he clarified Thursday that his condition stopped him from playing Test cricket.

“I don’t think there was ever a question that Lasith did not want to play Test cricket. He wanted to play in all three formats of the game. Unfortunately for him, his body was not able to stand the rigours of Test cricket.

“He is a guy who gives everything when on the field. So, you can’t question his commitments. He does not think about the next match or the next series. He only thinks about doing well in that particular match,” Sangakkara said. 

(AGENCIES)