Sri Lanka unearths another Malinga!

White-ball legend Lasith Malinga retired from the ODI format after playing the first ODI against Bangladesh on 26th July. He will be playing only in T20 format from now on. However, Sri Lanka have already found a replacement option for the 35-year old speedster. His name is Nuwan Thushara. This Sri Lankan bowler bowls with the exact slingy action as of his cricketing idol.

The discovery

The cricket world stumbled onto this sensational player via a video which went viral on social media. The 90-second  footage is from a Sri Lankan first-class match where Thushara is in the action. The video is a compilation of Thushara’s spell and includes the wickets that he takes. These dismissals also include the trademark Maling style deliveries where the ball dips late on the batsman’s toes.

Also read: Lasith Malinga: Yorker king, match-winner, smiling assassin

Nuwan Thushara

The bowler started his career with Sinhalese Cricket Club but now plays for the Colombo team. Nuwan said that he developed the bowling style on his own and did not copy Malinga.

“I used to bowl with a softball when a friend, who used to play competitive cricket took me to Colombo. There, I first played for Sinhalese Sports Club before moving on to Colombo Cricket Club. People say I must have copied Malinga but this action was how it has been since the start, as a boy,” the bowler said.

“People always said I should try to play leather-ball cricket but somehow I didn’t know how to go about it. Back at home, things aren’t that good as my father works as a helper in building houses,” he added.

Malinga’s take

Nuwan is called Podi Malinga (Meaning – Little Malinga). He has interacted with the legend and is also getting lessons on how to improve and move ahead. About the development, Malinga told Indian Express, “I have been watching him for quite some time now. I’m teaching him now. He has a long way to go.”

Here’s the video of Nuwan Thushara bowling –