Lasith Malinga eyes 2019 World Cup, suggests it could be his last tournament

Lasith Malinga, one of Sri Lanka’s leading fast bowler have spent quite some time without playing for his national team. After finding himself out of the national team setup, the fast bowler was the only player outside of the preliminary 23-man squad to tour Bangladesh next month, who was present in the special training session – the first under new coach Chandika Hathurusingha, in Colombo on Thursday.  However, Malinga came into the session in the capacity of a net bowler.

Malinga, who has not played international cricket since a one-off T20I against India in early September, and was sidelined for the T20I series against India. He was also left out of the touring squad to Bangladesh. The 34-year-old revealed said his next goal is the 2019 World Cup. If he does play, it could be his last tournament.

Speaking about his future, the Lankan speedster conceded to ESPN Cricinfo, “If they pick me I’m ready, but the reason for why I haven’t been picked is what I’m still waiting for.”

He added, “Usually it’s a player who is 25 or 26 that needs to be rested because they still have a lot of cricket left in them. But for someone of my age, from what I know, there’s really no purpose in being rested. We can only play cricket for another one or two years anyway, but if we’re rested then we won’t get to play cricket, so what’s the point?”

Malinga needs to impress new coach if he wishes to make it to the national team

Meanwhile, impressing Hathurusingha could be the best route back into the national team. However, his returns in international cricket haven’t warranted undue concern since returning from injury at the start of the year. With the new coach being given sway over team selection – a first for a Sri Lankan coach, although in an unofficial capacity, for Malinga a fitting swan song may yet be in the offing.

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