Lasith Malinga replacement: Mumbai Indians will be looking to replace the veteran fast bowler against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
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Indian Premier League franchise Mumbai Indians’ utmost priority ahead of their fifth match of IPL 2019 against Sunrisers Hyderabad will be to find an apt replacement for veteran fast bowler Lasith Malinga.
Captain of Sri Lanka’s ODI side, Malinga traveled back to Kandy to take part in the Sri Lanka Super Four Provincial Limited Over Tournament before the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.
Expected to play the whole tournament in Sri Lanka, Malinga is almost likely to miss the next two matches for Mumbai Indians.
Loving the commitment and your hat, Mali 🙌🏻
In less than 12 hours, Malinga has gone from being vital in a win for us in Mumbai to leading Galle in Sri Lanka’s #SuperProvincial 50-over tournament.
Can’t wait to have you back, champ 💙#OneFamily #CricketMeriJaan #MumbaiIndians pic.twitter.com/GCDg5PQh36
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) April 4, 2019
“I played a match last night for Mumbai and got into flight at 1.40 am landed Sri Lanka at 4.30 in the morning and made it Kandy by 7 am.
We need to show an example to the youngsters” Lasith Malinga – https://t.co/7TmBor9VJD— Sri Lanka Cricket (@OfficialSLC) April 4, 2019
Lasith Malinga replacement
In Malinga’s absence, Mumbai have as many as three cricketers who can replace IPL highest wicket-taker in the imminent matches.
1) Mitchell McClenaghan – New Zealand fast bowler Mitchell McClenaghan is the most pragmatic option for captain Rohit Sharma to turn to. A tried and tested name for MI, McClenaghan has dismissed 71 batsmen in 54 IPL matches at an average of 24.71, an economy rate of 8.61 and a strike rate of 17.26. The southpaw also has it in him to use the long handle down the order.
2) Ben Cutting – While Australia all-rounder Ben Cutting will enhance Mumbai’s batting strength, it will have an inversely proportional affect on their bowling lineup. Not that Cutting can’t bowl his quota of four overs, his IPL economy rate of 9.16 might trouble the team management.
3) Alzarri Joseph – The 22-year old West Indies fast bowler was named in as a replacement for the injured Adam Milne. In the seven T20s that he has played in his limited career, he has dismissed nine batsmen at an average of 32.33, an economy rate of 11.41 and a strike rate of 17.
