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Lankans boosted by Malinga's presence

Roar Guru
9th January, 2013
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Sri Lanka’s slinger Lasith Malinga has three main weapons in his arsenal for Australia to concentrate on in the one-day international series, according to David Hussey.

“He doesn’t speak much English so it’s an interesting one,” said Hussey, a teammate of Malinga with the Melbourne Stars.

“You’ve just got to get your plans and your focus purely on his three different balls.

“He’s got a very fast bumper, a very good yorker which he executes every time and his slower ball.

“If we take him out of the game, it definitely goes a long way to winning the game for Australia.”

Hussey and Malinga will square off at the MCG in game one of the five-match series of one-day games between the World Cup-winning nations.

Malinga’s tally of 13 victims at an average of 10.69 places him on top of the T20 BBL wicket-taking table alongside Hobart Hurricanes’ Ben Laughlin.

“All our batters have to really get down to business and do their homework,” Hussey said.

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Malinga put Melbourne Renegades’ West Indian import Marlon Samuels in hospital with an eye socket injury after the batsman top-edged a short ball in Sunday’s Melbourne derby game.

“Never scared — it’s always exciting,” Hussey said.

“You always want to play the best bowlers in the world. It’s a great opportunity to face him (Malinga).”

Injury-plagued Malinga, 29, has retired from Test cricket and has been playing T20 for the Stars while his nation lost 3-0 in Australia in the past few weeks.

The mop-topped paceman’s return to the national lineup for the ODI series has given the tourists enormous confidence, according to spinner Jeevan Mendis.

“He’s a great bowler and any team would be willing to have him. To have him in the one-day team is a great opportunity for us to do well,” said the 29-year-old Mendis, who had a four-game spell with BBL side the Sydney Sixers.

“Having him, for us is confidence.”

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Sri Lanka’s recent Test capitulation isn’t on the minds of their one-day cricketers who fancy their chances against No.4-ranked Australia’s under-strength side.

The world No.5 side are also coming off a 3-0 win over New Zealand at home.

“Compared to the Test version we have a good one-day team,” Mendis said.

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