Lasith Malinga, dubbed Yorker King, announced yesterday (September 14) that he would retire from international cricket.
Malinga who had retired from other formats of the game announced that he would do so from T20.
An old boy of Galle Mahinda College, Malinga, a genius in the game, participated in three big matches against Richmond College. He played under the captaincy of Geethanga Liyanage, Chatura Athukoralage and Tharindu Randima during his school cricket career.
Then Mahinda captain Tharindu Randima, in a Facebook post, said, “During practice sessions, I and Sumane are the early victims of your bowling. Otherwise, I or Rehan have this dreadful experience of facing your bowling.
I, wearing a broken helmet tied up with a piece of string, started shivering in deadly fear when I saw you pacing up on the matting wicket to bowl. Let alone Sumane and Reshan, it was deadly fearful to me. During every session, I got a bruise injury requiring the application of ice as treatment.
You did not shot scaring only us in the field. You had the courage and determined to scare the whole cricketing world. You challenged defeats. I remember a story narrated by you.
You said, “See, I will be the first to play for the country without playing for the area team.
You said it when you were denied a chance at provincial selection.
I, Sumane and Rehan, did not have words to describe our feelings when we learned that we had been selected but you dropped. Yet, you found your way to the target. After 17 years, you retire from the game making your name a brand.
Along with world cricket fans, I wish you all the best. I wish you success in the future. May Triple Gems bless you!
