Malinga to be rested against Australia

St George's, Grenada, Apr 15 (UNI) Assured of a semi-final slot, Sri Lanka have decided to rest fast bowler Lasith Malinga for the Super Eights league game against defending champions Australia here tomorrow.

Malinga missed the match against New Zealand which his side won by six wickets on Thursday after damaging left ankle ligament during a training session a day earlier.

Sri Lanka now need just one more win to seal their last four berth with two games to go, and they do not want to risk their pace spearhead in the Australia game.

The 23-year-old is likely to come back for Sri Lanka's last Super Eights league game against Ireland on Wednesday.

''He's been walking and feeling much better. I don't know whether we will risk him for the game against Australia.

He's doubtful. It may be better to keep him for the game against Ireland,'' team manager Michael Tissera said.

''When he was first diagnosed they said he would be out for a week so we don't know yet.'' ''Malinga seems quite OK. He bowled at the nets today.

The Australia game is a big one for us but not that big enough for us to risk him. He will play only when he is 100 per cent fit,'' said skipper Mahela Jayawardene.

''Also, others have delivered when needed and we are not too concerned about one player being able to make the playing XI,'' he added.

Malinga has already taken 15 wickets in this tournament and is among the most successful bowlers here, a list Australia's Glenn McGrath currently leads with 18. The slingy 23-year-old, whose pace has rattled several opponents in the last few years, has an impressive World Cup average of 14.26 and shares second place on the wicket-takers' list with teammate Muttiah Muralitharan (15 wickets at 17.13).

UNI