Malinga’s Knee Issue a ‘ Substantial Wound ’

Sri Lanka Cricket’s medical team has confirmed a “substantial injury” to Former Sri Lanka Twenty20 captain Lasith Malinga’s left knee, after the bowler was ruled out of both the World T20 and the ongoing IPL.

Malinga underwent a special medical examination before an expert panel of medical professionals yesterday appointed by the national cricket board.

The SLC medical team has not advised surgery, but said the injury requires rest and periodic reassessment.

For now, it appears that the bone bruise will rule Malinga out of the forthcoming tour of England, at least.

The limited-overs leg of Sri Lanka’s tour of England begins in June. SLC medical committee chairman Dr. Harindu Wijesinghe said “Malinga is suffering from a stress reaction in the knee. This has been caused by pressure being put on the knee. There is a chance that a stress reaction could worsen to a stress fracture, at which point he would need surgery.”

Malinga has only played one competitive game since sustaining the injury during the West Indies’ tour of Sri Lanka last November.

He has repeatedly missed prospective recovery dates, and as such, the SLC medical team was reluctant to specify a fresh timeframe for his return to top level cricket.

Wijesinghe said “A few doctors have been advising Malinga, and we feel that he needs to rest his knee, while undergoing physiotherapy and strengthening.”