Malinga playing down chances

Lasith Malinga has revealed he does not expect to play in the second Test © Getty Images

England may be expecting a barrage from Sri Lanka paceman Lasith Malinga this week - but the man himself does not expect to line up for his country at Edgbaston.

Malinga the Slinger, as he is known due to his unusual action, would add some speed to a one-paced bowling attack which claimed only six wickets in four sessions during the first Test.

The 22-year-old bagged a five-wicket haul against Sussex last week to stake his claim for a recall, although he played down suggestions his round-arm deliveries would examine the England top order this week.

When asked if he expected to be given the chance to add to his 54 Test victims, Malinga said: “No. In the last Test match our players did a very good job; the bowlers bowled very well but didn’t get wickets.”

Sri Lanka's attack was very one-paced in the first Test at Lord's © Getty Images

It may or may not have been a piece of gamesmanship but Malinga’s inclusion would certainly add some zip.

His victims cost less than 30 runs apiece and he has flustered some high-class players in his short international career, which began with six wickets on debut against Australia.

Six years ago he was playing beach cricket in the south of Sri Lanka and still employs the same approach to bowling he did when he took up the sport.

It is an ability to propel the ball at 90mph with a hand which endangers umpires’ left earlobes which makes him stand out from fellow fast bowlers.

Some find facing Malinga unnerving and the New Zealanders took the unusual approach of asking officials Darrell Hair and Steve Bucknor to remove their ties and cover their dark trousers at the end of his man-of-the-match performance of nine wickets in Napier two winters ago.

Malinga has a very unusual bowling style © Getty Images

“No-one has ever tried to change me since I first played with a soft ball on the beach,” said Malinga. “It was just natural to me.

“I always bowl trying to get wickets rather than contain runs. I like to unsettle the batsmen with bouncers and yorkers and always try to attack.

“Batsmen struggle with my action because they can’t pick the ball. The first time they face me is always difficult for them and the New Zealand players were not comfortable with the way my arm came from out of the umpires’ ties.”