Lasith Malinga named Sri Lanka ‘Bowling Strategy Coach’ following IPL 2022 success

Colombo: Lasith Malinga, the former Sri Lanka captain and legendary pacer, has been appointed the side’s Bowling Strategy Coach for the white-ball leg of their home series against Australia next week.

Malinga’s remit is to provide “tactical insight and technical expertise to help the on-field execution of strategic plans.”

It’s a role Malinga has occupied previously when Sri Lanka visited Australia in February for a T20I series. Sri Lanka suffered a 4-1 loss in that five-match series, although their bowlers impressed, with the Australian batters restricted to a high total of 164/6 across the five matches.

“Sri Lanka Cricket is confident that Malinga’s vast experience and renowned death-bowling expertise, especially in the T20 format, will help the team immensely going into this all-important series,” the SLC statement said.

Sri Lanka on Thursday named an 18-member squad for the upcoming T20Is, which included maiden call-ups for the young pair of Nuwanidu Fernando, the top-order batter, and Matheesha Pathirana, the right-arm pacer.

The three-match series is set to begin on June 7 in Colombo. (UNI)