Slinger Lasith Malinga quits Test cricket after persistent knee injury
One of the most feared fast bowlers in international cricket, Sri Lanka’s, Lasith Malinga, has decided to quit the longest format of the game in a bid to prolong his limited overs and T20 career.
The right armer with a deadly slinging action that helps him swing and bowl pin point accurate yorkers at a very high speed bowed out of the Test match part of his country’s tour to England and a couple of days later announced his
decision to part ways with the format.
Malinga is currently representing the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Delhi-c780 Daredevils.
He told media in India that he does not have it in him to withstand the rigours of Test match cricket anymore and the only way he can forward his international career was by quitting the longest format of the game, which was far more
taxing than the shorter formats where a bowler was required to bowl at most, 10 overs in a match.
In T20 the limit is only 4, which means that the likes of Malinga and Aussie quick, Shaun Tait, who has quit both Test and ODI formats can go at a full pelt and make life tough for the batsmen aiming to score quick runs.
Malinga stated through a statement he released to the press that he has a degenerative condition in his right knee, which is going to be a long standing problem for him and makes his consistent participation in Test match cricket almost
impossible.
"Although I am sufficiently fit to play both ODI and T20 cricket, I have a long-standing degenerative condition in my right knee that needs to be carefully managed", Malinga's statement reads:
"The condition relates directly to the chronic knee injury I sustained playing for Sri Lanka in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 back in February 2008, an injury that prevented me from playing ODI cricket for 16 months”.
He added that his injury was a career threatening one and he needed to give it immediate attention in order to continue playing at the highest level, he added that his doctor had advised him that his knee would wear-off much quicker
if he keeps bowling for long periods, which is a requirement in Test match cricket.
"The injury was a career-threatening injury and my orthopaedic surgeon was of the opinion that given his experience with other professional athletes in Australia I was very fortunate to play again. I have since been advised by the
national team physiotherapist and my orthopaedic consultant that my condition will deteriorate when fielding or bowling for prolonged periods”.
He stated that he had made an attempt to return to Test match cricket after a three-year absence last year [against India] following requests from the team management and selectors.
However, it only meant he was left to nurse a severe knee pain for two months and risk of remaining out of cricket for a long period.
Malinga had a good run in the World Cup he claimed 6 wickets in a game against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Virender-Sehwag-c95429 and Sachin Tendulkar.
In the years ahead http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 would hope to make best use of his skills in ODIs and T20 internationals as there is little doubt that he remains one of the most feared bowlers with the ability of running through a side any given day.
Tags: