I always think I can turn the game around, claims Lasith Malinga

I always think I can turn the game around, claims Lasith Malinga

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Lasith Malinga has recounted the experience of picking up four wickets in as many balls for the second time as he explained the thought process that went behind pulling off the feat. He also discussed what the achievements meant to him and hoped he had managed to inspire the next generation.

Lasith Malinga made all the headlines in the world on Friday after he pulled off the spectacular feat of sending four top-order batsmen back to the pavilion in successive balls. To think that he had pulled it off for the second time in his career, having unleashed himself in a similar way 12 years ago in the World Cup against South Africa, is nothing less than astounding.

What was even more interesting about the four wickets was the manner in which they were picked. Each ball seemed like a playback of the previous delivery, as for trademark inswinging yorkers completed the devastation, with Colin Munro being the first victim of the veteran pacer.

"After taking the first wicket, the newcomer was an inexperienced left-hander. I thought of getting him out in the first ball. My best weapon is the inswinging yorker, so I thought of using that and he got out," Malinga recounted, reported Cricbuzz.

The Lions had already lost the series 2-0 courtesy two brilliant chases by New Zealand but the 36-year-old ensured that this time it was not to be.  

"Then came de Grandhome and Taylor. These two guys have been a real headache for us throughout the series. The other bowlers failed to get them in the other match. I was thinking how to get these two guys, and I knew we could win the game if we get them. I thought that if I could bowl two yorkers, then why not the third?

"So I got back to my mental preparation that I do before I bowl a yorker, and walked back to my run-up. The timing and accuracy was there and I got the third wicket. When I got the third, I was thinking again: 'Why not try it a fourth time?' It was all the same preparation again and I did it," added Malinga.

At an age where most fast bowlers call quits after being riddled with injuries, Malinga’s highly successful career continues to reach new heights.

"I always come to every match thinking I can turn the game around. The skill that I have in taking wickets, considering the experience, is more than any other player on the field. I don't care who believes that or not, but I believe that. So I want to control the game as soon as I get the ball in hand," 

While earning the five-wicket haul, Malinga also became the first-ever bowler with 100 T20I wickets.

"It's just another achievement for me. It happened today and it's history now, but if I was hit badly tomorrow, these four wickets and the other achievements are all forgotten. But then, I am really happy that I could take four wickets in four balls in T20s as well, because I am playing in the latter part of my career,” the experienced campaigner stated.

However, what holds the most importance for him is the hope that he might have managed to inspire the next generation of cricketing stalwarts.

"All the younger players who played with me, could see it with their own eyes. I think that could have been an inspiration to them and maybe they also think that they can do something like this. That's what an up-and-coming player needs - to see something happen, and train towards that," he signed off.

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