Lasith Malinga basks in hat-trick glory after decimating Kenyan batting at Colombo
Sri Lankan pace ace, Lasith Malinga has become the first bowler in history to record two hat-tricks in the World Cup.
His latest feat came against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Kenya-c752 in their group A match; the right arm slinger derailed the African team with an astonishing piece of bowling at the Premadasa stadium in Colombo, claiming 6 wickets for 38 runs.
Malinga started off well in the game accounting for two early wickets in his opening spell; he then got rid of Colins Obuya before coming back strongly to take the wickets of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Tanmay-Mishra-c92705, Peter Ongondo and Shem Ngoche with successive, full, swinging deliveries.
He spoke to the media after the match and spoke about his feat and inspirations. He said he honed his skills watching the Pakistani pace duo of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis who are regarded by many as the best ever bowling duo in the history of ODI cricket.
“This is a slow pitch and bouncers will not work so I decided to go for yorkers,” Malinga said. “I didn't have any idea of how to bowl a yorker when I first came into the national team but I was taught how to bowl them by Champaka Ramanayake and Rumesh Ratnayake, I also watched http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wasim-Akram-c96292 and Waqar Younis bowl and I learnt a lot from them.”
The 27-year old stated that he was keen on playing a leading role in the tournament and is determined to take his team to the title for the second time in history. He thinks that after playing top class cricket for seven years he understands his role in the team who are riding on a wave of home support in cricket’s premier tournament.
Contemplating his future the 27-year-old fast bowler said, “I don't know how long I could play, but I am happy to contribute to the team whenever I play. I believe I can still play Test cricket after considering my injury concerns. When I feel that I can't do anything for the team, I will happily retire.”
Malinga sat out the first two matches of the tournament against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Green-c60723 and was disappointed that the team ended up losing the match.
However, now that he is back to his brilliant best he would be the trump card for his team, along with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Muttiah-Muralitharan-c78157. The two are pivotal to their team’s chances and would need to fire on all cylinders if they are to smother the challenge of the rest of the participating teams in the tournament, especially in the crucial knock-out round.
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