Malinga will be fit mid-January while Sanga status remains the same
Sri Lanka’s ace in pace Lasith Malinga should be ready for the World Cup says Sri Lanka Cricket. SLC’s Chief Executive Officer Ashley de Silva speaking to the Sunday Times said “Since being operated by Dr. David Young at the Melbourne Orthopaedic Centre after his foot injury he sustained while turning out for the Mumbai Indians in the Champion’s League Tournament, he is back with the squad and is doing a bit of light training, which includes an approximately 45 minute walk.
“However according to the Lankan physiotherapist Steve Mount, the bowler should be in match condition by mid January and in all probability should be fit for World Cup selection.”
The 31-year-old fast bowler played his last T-20 match for the Mumbai Indians against the Northern Districts on September 16 this year and has
been out cricket since. He played his last International for Sri Lanka on 14th August at Pallekelle when Sri Lanka took on Pakistan.
Meanwhile the other Lankan specialist seam operator Suranga Lakmal also has recovered from his stress related problem on his left foot. His rehabilitation was handled by Steve Mount.
De Silva commenting on Lakmal said “Lakmal is training with the squad, but he will not be considered for selection in the early part of the England series, but may make a comeback in the latter half of the series”
When asked about the status of the Kumar Sangakkara issue, de Silva said “he has not said anything officially about his retirement, all what I have learned is what I have read in the newspapers”.
However Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee Chairman Sanath Jayasuriya said “Yes, we had a brief discussion on that subject, but at the moment the status quo remains”
In the pre common candidate bombshell, the Sangakkara retirement topped the local news, but it was not quite clear about real position and Sangakkara did not officially announce to such effect either rather than saying that he could not see him playing international cricket beyond the 2015 World Cup while speaking to CNN.