Slinger Malinga stays the ever popular local boy
GALLE: Lasith Malinga is no more the feared speedster of yore. He isn’t a part of the Test team for a long time now as well. Yet in these parts of Sri Lanka – that is in and around Galle – he is still remains the most popular cricketing figure.
THE MALINGAWIGS
An indicator was wigs of his long curly mop of hair making an appearance during the first Test between India and Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium.
As you reach the town of Hikkaduwa and turn towards Rathgama village (12 km from Galle), the Malinga influence is there to see although it’s been years since he moved to greener pastures. Reason: He has stayed in touch with his roots. “He is the Shah Rukh Khan of here,” says Sampath, an auto driver.
Visit his alma mater, Mahinda College, that has produced five international players and for whom he played for three years from 2002, and the goodwill becomes apparent.
“Past players have formed an association by the name Cricket Foundation of Mahinda College, which participates in cricket activities and contributes monetarily to improve the facilities. Malinga is part of it. Last year, they helped build the indoor nets at the college ground,” says director of cricket, Duminda Wickramasinha, who was also Malinga’s first captain at the top local side, Galle Cricket Club.
GIVING BACK
“They help to train the coaches as well,” Wickramasinha said of Malinga and the other internationals. “Before the last big match our college team played, he came down to talk to the team and identified two-three fast bowlers for special training. He is an active participant of the association.”
At his village team, Flyingbirds of Rathgama, where Malinga first fell in love with the game, he provides cricket bats. They still only play with a soft ball at the small, muddy ground.
“Malinga used to play for the village team, Flyingbirds. Now also he keeps coming here. We play with the bat given by him,” says Khandenamal Viduranga, who went with Ma lin ga to school and is now a fisherman. “That time also, he would knock off three to four wickets in an over regularly,” Viduranga says proudly.