Lasith Malinga back in supernatural swing

Lasith Malinga is such an integral part of Sri Lanka’s fast bowling arsenal that it needed the nation’s President to intervene and ensure he was fit for the World Twenty20s in England.

The bowler with the rare sling-arm action, whose toe-crushing yorkers have tested the world’s finest batsmen, sat out the entire 2008 and early 2009 season with a career-threatening knee injury.

Malinga, 25, was unable to run or train, and the swollen bone in his right knee was so painful that he could barely climb stairs.

Worried the prodigious talent could be lost to the game, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa recommended that Malinga should meet a spiritual healer Eliyantha White.

“He (White) works with supernatural powers and herbs,” explained Malinga.

“I don’t know what he does or how he does it, but it works. I am very grateful to him and the President.”

The treatment lasted five days and the pain disappeared. Malinga was fit to start his training.

White later reportedly cured veteran Sanath Jayasuriya of a long-standing back problem.

Malinga marked his return to active cricket with a strong showing in the Indian Premier League in South Africa where he grabbed 18 wickets in 13 matches for the Mumbai Indians.

“He is fast and furious and never easy to get away,” said an appreciative Mumbai coach Pravin Amre. “Sri Lanka will be very happy he is back.”

Sri Lanka’s new captain Kumar Sangakkara, who once hailed Malinga as the team’s ‘X’ factor’ for turning a game on its head, was delighted his premier fast bowler was raring to go.

“He looks fit and hungry and bowled really well in the IPL,” said Sangakkara. “It’s good to have him around again.”

Sri Lanka’s former coach Tom Moody, who now looks after both Western Australia and IPL team Kings XI Punjab, said Malinga was an “unique” bowler.

“Everything about him is unique. His very unique action, unique that he bowls at 90 miles an hour,” said Moody.

“He is different.” Malinga’s approach to bowling is simple and uncomplicated.

Hurl the ball as fast as possible, preferably near the batsmen’s toes. It could rattle stumps or even break bones, but will never be easy to hit.

LONDON, Sunday, AFP