Malinga joins Maharoof in casualty list

Sri Lanka’s fiery fast bowler Lasith Malinga joined Farveez Maharoof in the injury list when he was ruled out of the tour to the West Indies yesterday with a knee injury.

According to selection committee sources scan reports have revealed that Malinga has a bruised bone on his left knee which would require rest for about three to four weeks.

Malinga, 24 famed for his tinted hair locks propelled himself into the limelight during the 2007 World Cup where he helped his team reach the final with 18 wickets from eight matches. He is renowned for taking four wickets in four balls against South Africa, a feat unmatched in the shorter version of the game.

Malinga will be replaced by fast bowler Nuwan Kulasekera for the Test and ODI series against the West Indies.

Earlier, fast bowling all-rounder Maharoof was declared unfit to make the tour to the Caribbean because of a side strain which he suffered during the CB series in Australia. Maharoof’s place for the two Tests against West Indies will be filled by left-arm fast bowler Chanaka Welagedera. Kaushal Weeraratne will replace Welagedera for the three ODIs against West Indies which follows the Test.