SLC appoint Lasith Malinga as team's bowling strategy coach for Australia tour

Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce the appointment of Lasith Malinga, the Sri Lankan fast bowling legend and former captain of the ODI and T20I team, as the ‘Bowling Strategy Coach’ of the National Team for the upcoming Tour of Australia.

Malinga, in his new short-term role as a specialist coach, will support Sri Lanka’s bowlers, providing tactical insight and technical expertise to help the on-field execution of strategic plans.

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 series.

“We have some very talented young bowlers and I am very excited about the opportunity to share my experience and knowledge to help them develop,” Malinga commented after his appointment.

He was appointed by the Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket in consultation with the Technical Advisory Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket. The appointment is effective from 1st to 20th February 2022. Malinga’s appointment is expected to be a one-off for the upcoming Australia tour only. Sri Lanka would be playing five T20Is against Australia and Malinga’s experience is expected to help the struggling Lankan side.

Lasith Malinga’s international experience will help the touring Lankan side

It has to be noted that Malinga carries vast international as well as T20 experience under his belt and it remains to be seen how he will be benefitting the side. Talking of Malinga, he had led Sri Lanka in nine ODIs and unfortunately, couldn’t win even a single one. He announced his retirement from international cricketer last year only and also used to be one of the extremely valuable assets for his IPL franchise Mumbai Indians. He is still the highest wicket-taker in IPL history.

On the other hand, Mahela Jayawardene will also travel with the touring Lankan side as a consultant coach, and the recommendation about Malinga is believed to have come from his end. Talking of the tour, the defending T20 World Cup Champions Australia would enter this series as favorites to win.