Separamadu Lasith Malinga a legendary right handed fast bowler of Sri Lanka has just retired. He will be ever remembered in world cricket for his exceptional ability of bowling toe crashing Yorkers at will both with new ball at the beginning of the innings and at death. 

Adoring fans at Premadasa Stadium Colombo paid their whole hearted felicitation when the hero left the scene after another great spell of pace bowling. He was 35 and his reputation could have carried him a few more years. Yet unlike quite a few others still riding on reputation chose the best time to bide bye bye to big time cricket. Before him Muttiah Muralitharan, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara silently bowed out. Very smartly Malinga did not follow that route. Even in his swansong he was exceptional. Tamim and Soumya were blown away by his toes crashers.

I have seen Malinga doing these very often. With his unusual slinging action he was the most deceptive bowlers to pick off his hands. His pace was also difficult to read of the pitch. Before a batsman could plan the defence against him, the ball would have reach the destination through the bad pad or below the bat crashing the stumps.

At his retirement as an adoring fan like to record my deep gratitude for Malinga entertaining cricket world with his sheer talent. Wish him sun shining life after active cricket.

BDST: 1057 HRS, JUL 28, 2019
SI