ONE: “Suspicious minds! Umpires force Malinga to turn out his pockets,” Daily Mail, UK and Sunday Times, Lanka
Nothing fishy, it’s just a warmer. Michael Clarke confirmed it’s a legal act.
The Sri Lankan speedster was walking back to his bowlig mark in the 17th over of Australia’s innings when umpire Mick Martell approached him and questioned what was in his pocket. Malinga, in the balls previous, kept placing his bowling hand in his pocket which prompted commentator Michael Clarke to reveal the 33-year-old keeps a hand warmer in his pocket.
‘He normally has a hand warmer in pocket as it’s a little bit cold here at the MCG at night,’ Clarke said during the coverage. ‘He’s just got one warmer in there to keep the fingers warm for the way he releases the ball.’It’s legal, so everyone who thinks why does he keep placing his hands in his pocket, it’s just to keep it warm before he delivers the ball.’
Malinga showed Martell the white hand warmer which he deemed legal, handed him the ball and the game continued. The game was a nail biter with the tourists securing a thrilling final ball victory.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk
**** *****
TWO: “Malinga destructive & intelligent- Graham Ford” …. https://www.newsradio.lk/malinga-destructive-intelligent-graham-ford/
Sri Lanka’s coach Graham Ford outlines the value of fast bowler Lasith Malinga to the side not only as one of the world’s most destructive and intelligent limited-overs bowlers, but also as a leader in terms of keeping the rest of the attack focused on the principle aim in the latter overs of a T20.
Ford said “I think the damage control was really good – it’s something they talk about a lot. Malinga is brilliant at leading that discussion as to just how important it is”.
The coach added at the end he was not necessarily searching for wickets, but was searching to control the run-rate. Ford said the growth of confidence and therefore the performance had been noticeable with each successive match.