Veteran Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga is one of the most lethal bowlers in the world. He has stood the test of time and continues to pose problems for the batsmen with his accuracy and precision. Malinga is known for his toe-crushing Yorkers and also, the slow-yorkers which have managed to disturb the timbers.
One such incident took place in yesterday’s game between Sri Lanka and West Indies, where Malinga just pierced through the stumps of probably the most destructive batsman in today’s time – Andre Russell. The wicket took place in the 16th over of the West Indies innings when Andre Russell was wreaking havoc on the Islanders. Russell had already scored 35 runs off just 13 deliveries, including two fours and four massive sixes.
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It is when Malinga came back into the attack and showed why he is called “Slinga Malinga.” Trying to make some room to play Malinga, Russell just moved a bit from the stumps and Malinga just bowled one of the best Yorkers he has bowled in recent times. The particular delivery was inch-perfect and at the base of off-stump and the big man could not manage to get his bat down on time and the ball just crashed to the stumps.
The spectators were left stunned by the ball and shared the video clip of that delivery on social media. In no time, Malinga was trending and netizens were heaping praises on the veteran pacer.
However, Malinga’s heroics went in vain as Lankans lost the first T20 International by 25 runs. Windies pacer Oshane Thomas bowled a superb spell and picked up a five-wicket haul, guiding his team to a well-deserved victory. In the process, Thomas became the third West Indian bowler to pick up a five-wicket haul in T20 Internationals after Keemo Paul and Darren Sammy.
Thomas was awarded the Player of the Match trophy and revealed that it feels great to perform for the team and help the team in winning an important game. He also noted that the pacers came to match with a plan to bowl short and it worked pretty well for them.
“It is a great feeling to be back in the Windies side and winning. I was trying to bowl hard lengths and trying to keep it straight, not giving the batsman any room. Our plan was to bowl short and it was working today,” Thomas said during the presentation ceremony.
The second and last T20 International between Sri Lanka and West Indies will take place on March 6 in Pallekele.
