The Australian team has already reached Sri Lanka to play the full series. Matheesa Pathirana has been named in the ODI and T20 squads. Surprisingly, the Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) has called up this youngster. If all goes well, the pacer, known as the ‘New Malinga’, could make his international debut in the upcoming series.
Legendary Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga is mostly known as a Yorker master. Pathirana is called the New Malinga mainly because of his bowling action. And for the first time after being called up to the national team, the 19-year-old is going to get close to the real Malinga. Pathirana is also getting the opportunity to learn from Malinga.
Malinga has been appointed as Sri Lanka’s bowling coach for limited-overs cricket in the upcoming Australia series. The former star will teach various techniques to the bowlers of ODI and T20 teams in the series starting from June 7. This may be the golden opportunity for Pathirana.
A statement from the Sri Lanka Cricket Board said: “Lasith Malinga will assist the Sri Lankan bowlers in the upcoming tour of Australia. Where he is to share technical details and technical experience with bowlers. He will also help in the implementation of strategic plans in the field. ”
However, this is not the first time Malinga has been in charge of the national team. He had earlier worked in a five-match T20 series against Australia in February this year. Then, Sri Lanka lost the series 4-1 to Aussie. The bowlers were not very impressive. Aussies managed to score a maximum of 164 runs in the entire series. Under the training of real Malinga, it is to be seen how the new Malinga performs.