“I don’t know what pressure means,” says slinger Malinga

Monday, 9 February 2015 00:41 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

IANS: Sri Lanka’s premier pacer LasithMalinga claimed Sunday he wasn’t overawed by the task of leading his team’s bowling unit in the World Cup and is under no pressure whatsoever. “I don’t know what pressure means,” he was quoted as saying espncricinfo.com Sunday.”I’m always used to pressure situations, so I wouldn’t

even know what pressure is to talk about it. I want to have a free mindset and do what I can do,” he said. “Throughout my career I haven’t been looking out where I’m playing or what are the conditions. We know it will be bouncy here, but I always trust my skill,” he added. Malinga’s preparation for the mega event was hampered by a long-term ankle complaint. He required surgery and has been gradually working his way up to match-fitness. Malinga admitted to still feeling pain but he is expected to play Sri Lanka’s warm-up matches against South Africa (Feb 9) and Zimbabwe (Feb 11). Sri Lanka face the curtain-raising match of the tournament against co-hosts New Zealand Feb 14. “In the last few days, I’ve been bowling with my full run-up, and I feel like I have good rhythm,” he said.”I don’t know about the pace, so we’ll find that out in the matches. Before the World Cup, I have to use these two warm-up matches to the maximum.” The 31-year-old said he was not only preparing himself physically but was developing his mental aspect as well to cope with the task of leading his team’s bowling charge at the competition. “I haven’t had much skills preparation in the last few months, but I always do my mental preparation. I watched all my footage in the last two months and figured out what I needed to do,” the right-arm pacer said.

Injured Dhammika Prasad out of World Cup

Fast bowler Dhammika Prasad has been ruled out of the World Cup after suffering a fractured hand at training on Saturday, two days prior to Sri Lanka’s first warm-up encounter. The injury is expected to keep him out of action for four weeks, and the team will name a replacement subject to the approval of the ICC’s event technical committee. “Dhammika Prasad was hit on the outside of the left hand when attempting a return catch while bowling,” an official release said. “The x-ray showed a fracture of the fifth metacarpal bone. The fracture has been realigned and put in a cast. Dhammika will not be available for the upcoming World Cup.”

No decision on a replacement has yet been made, as chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya is en route to New Zealand to join the team as the selector-on-tour. The selection panel will then consult with team management and captain Angelo Mathews, before presenting their replacement to the event technical committee. Sri Lanka have fast bowlers Shaminda Eranga and Dushmantha Chameera on standby, but may also name a batsman to take Prasad’s place, as the batting order had been less productive than the selectors had hoped during the seven-match ODI series against New Zealand. Eranga represents the safer option for Sri Lanka. He has only played 17 ODIs, but has been a fixture of the Test side, and recently took three wickets at 27.66 in his two outings against New Zealand. Chameera, 23, is the quicker bowler, but he has only played one ODI. Among the potential pool of batsmen that could be named, are Upul Tharanga, who has been among the runs in Sri Lanka’s ongoing first-class tournament, and Kusal Perera. Prasad was struck in the hand by a ball bludgeoned back at him by Thisara Perera. He played two ODIs against New Zealand, taking two scalps at 45.2.

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