Malinga blames former committee for injury

Sri Lankan speedster Lasith Malinga blamed the country's cricket administration led by the former captain Arjuna Ranatunga for aggravating his knee injury that forced him to retire from Test cricket.

Lasith Malinga of Sri Lanka celebrates the wicket of Nathan McCullum of New Zealand after he was caught by Kumar Sangakkara during the 2011 ICC World Cup Semi-Final match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at R. Premadasa Stadium on March 29, 2011 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.Malinga blames former committee for injury

Colombo: Apr 26, 2011

Sri Lankan speedster Lasith Malinga blamed the country’s cricket administration led by the former captain Arjuna Ranatunga for aggravating his knee injury that forced him to retire from Test cricket.

Without naming Ranatunga he said, “The 2008 interim committee did not care for my well being,” Malinga said adding that due to his knee injury, he could not even climb the stairs of his house. He didn’t hide his displeasure at being treated shabbily by the 2008 interim committee. “I was offered a basic contract when I deserved better.”

As Ranatunga led the committee, it is well understood that Malinga’s grievance is pointed towards whom. “My knees are getting weaker,” Malinga said explaining his decision to quit playing Test cricket. 

He was addressing reporters here having returned from playing in the IPL with the Mumbai Indians. He will rejoin Sachin Tendulkar’s team on Thursday.

“I decided that I needed to make myself unavailable for Test cricket so that I can prolong my career as a national cricketer,” Malinga had said after the official annoucement of his decision to quit Test cricket. The slinger is hopeful that he will be selected for the ODI and T20 series in England and also to play the shorter version of the game when the Australia will tour Sri Lanka in August.

As a long-term plan, he intends to play in next year’s World T20 championship in Sri Lanka and 2015 World Cup in Australia.

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