Lasith Malinga hints at retiring before World Cup, sends message to the players group
According to the sources, the chief selector merely asked him about his availability without guaranteeing him about the captaincy.
Mumbai: Sri Lankan pace bowler Lasith Malinga has "almost decided" to say good bye to the international cricket.
A message in Sinhala language "api bima naevata piyava gaeniata samat ve tanapativarayet. deviyan vaanse mata pitupasin ma sahaya kala siyalu denatama asirvada" (meaning "we won't be able to meet again on the ground. God bless to everyone who was behind me and supporting me. Blessings") he sent to the player groups", it is learnt here.
The timing of his message is more important. The message he sent in the group was at 11.22 in the morning and that was exactly an hour after he had a call from the chief selector Ashantha de Mel.
According to the sources, the chief selector merely asked him about his availability without guaranteeing him about the captaincy. This may have prompted him to send the message in the group.
"Not sure what he means but hints out of pulling out. Malinga should have known that playing for the country is more important than the captaincy", a top man attached with the SLC said. "He lost 13 out of 14 matches he captained".
The selectors, however, may include him in the team till he "officially" backs out. "Will have enough time to replace him, if he is selected but back out", one of the sources said exclusively to this Reporter. Incidentally, the idea was to select the team first and captain thereafter. However, speculation in media forced the selectors to name captain Dimuth Karunaratne one day before.
The selectors and World Cup captain Dimuth Karunaratne (he is a member of the selection committee) will meet at the SLC head quarter at 9.00 am on Thursday and the chosen 15 and four extra players will be sent to the sports minister Harin Fernando for his approval.
According to the sources, the team will comprise of 8 batsmen, 5 pace bowlers and two spinners. Isuru Udana, Avishka Fernando and Wasindu Hasaraga are favorite to get included in the squad.