Sri Lanka’s Chairman of Selectors, Graeme Labrooy has insisted that under-fire veteran pacer Lasith Malinga is in line for the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan.
The pacer has looked like a pale shadow of his former self since returning after a 19-month ODI layoff during the Champions Trophy. The 34-year old, who had also led Sri Lanka in one of the games during the ODI series against India, had managed to pick up just ten wickets in 13 games at a paltry average of 62.30 since his comeback including the poor series against India where he took only three wickets in as many games.
As a result, he was not included in the upcoming ODI series against the reigning Champions Trophy winners, but Labrooy has said the selectors are trying to bring back the veteran pacer for the T20s.
“We had a chat to some of the players who did not make this tour and were trying to see what their thinking was and then we shared our thinking. We are trying to bring Lasith back for the T20s. We still feel that he can contribute in ODIs as long as he is on top of his fitness. We believe that he has got a part to play in our ODI cricket,” Labrooy was quoted by Cricbuzz.
The former Sri Lanka cricketer further said why star allrounder Angelo Mathews is not rushed into the team. Mathews missed the Test series due to a calf injury and was not included in the ODI squad.
“We have stressed on the fitness. There are minimum standards set now. Players now need to get through a yo-yo test within minimum standards and their skin falls has to be less than certain standard. That’s one reason why we are not rushing Angelo Mathews. We want him 100 per cent fit with a long Indian tour coming up,” Labrooy said.
Labrooy also expressed his delight over the Test series win against Pakistan. Sri Lanka entered the series after the humiliating losses against India at home but bounced back in style to whitewash Pakistan in the two-Test series.
“I am glad for the boys. They needed the win very badly. Playing away from the pressure back at home must have helped. They struck to their guns and believed in their plans and delivered those wins. I hope they can build on that confidence and take it forward from here,” Labrooy said.