Lasith Malinga Profile: Sri Lanka’s Slinging Yorker Specialist
Profile of Lasith Malinga, the Sri Lankan fast bowler known for his slingy action, four wickets in four balls at the 2007 World Cup and his IPL success.
Lasith Malinga was one of the most distinctive fast bowlers of his generation. With a low, round-arm slinging action, he delivered accurate yorkers at high pace, and over a long career, he became one of the most feared limited-overs bowlers in the world.
Early life and rise
Born in Galle in 1983, Malinga came from a modest background and learned to bowl using a tennis ball on the beach and local grounds, which many credit with shaping his unorthodox action. He made his international debut in 2004 and soon attracted attention for his pace and his bouncy, unusual run-up.
Playing style
Malinga’s release point was very low, which made the ball arrive at awkward angles and made his yorker difficult to pick up. He added a slower ball and a carefully disguised change of pace as his career developed, and he was particularly valuable at the death, when batters try to hit out.
Career highlights
At the 2007 World Cup he took four wickets in four balls against South Africa, a feat unmatched in the tournament at that time. He also took a hat-trick against Kenya at the 2011 World Cup. In 2019, he took four wickets against England at Headingley as Sri Lanka won a World Cup match.
Malinga captained Sri Lanka to the 2014 T20 World Cup title. He played 30 Tests, taking 101 wickets, before stepping away from the longest format in 2011 to focus on white-ball cricket. In one-day internationals, he took 338 wickets in 226 matches.
Franchise cricket
In the Indian Premier League, he was a long-standing member of Mumbai Indians, and he bowled the final over in the 2019 final, as Mumbai beat Chennai Super Kings by a single run.
Legacy
Malinga’s legacy is that of a bowler who showed that an unorthodox action, combined with skill and courage, could succeed at the highest level. Career totals are stated as at the end of his international career.
Frequently asked questions
What did Lasith Malinga do at the 2007 World Cup?
He took four wickets in four balls against South Africa.
Which team did Malinga play for in the IPL?
He played for Mumbai Indians.
Did Malinga captain Sri Lanka to a trophy?
Yes. He captained Sri Lanka to victory at the 2014 T20 World Cup.