Lasith Malinga has been named Sri Lanka's bowling technique coach for the five T20Is that begin on February 11 in Australia. In 2018, the former pacer became a coach with the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League.
"Malinga will support Sri Lanka's bowlers in his new short-term job as a specialist coach, giving tactical insight and technical experience to help the on-field execution of strategic plans," Sri Lanka Cricket said in a statement on Wednesday (January 26). "SLC is certain that Malinga's extensive experience and famous death-bowling expertise, particularly in the T20 format, will be invaluable to the team in this series."
"In discussion with Sri Lanka Cricket's Technical Advisory Committee, the Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket appointed him. The appointment will last from February 1 until February 20, 2022."
Before retiring as a legend in limited-overs cricket, Malinga played 30 Tests, 226 ODIs, and 84 T20Is. He is one of just four bowlers in T20I history to have taken over 100 wickets. "We have some really outstanding young bowlers," he said of his new position. "I am extremely happy about the opportunity to offer my skill and experience to help them progress."
Meanwhile, Rumesh Ratnayake has been selected as Sri Lanka's assistant coach for the upcoming tour to Australia. The former Sri Lanka pace bowler will not join the rest of the team in Australia. Instead, he will join before the first T20I because he is still in isolation after testing positive for Covid-19.
On Wednesday, SLC confirmed the squad for the tour, with Danushka Gunathilaka and Kusal Mendis making their comebacks after their one-year bans were lifted earlier this month, but Niroshan Dickwella was left out.