Sri Lanka Cricket reinstate Malinga's contract

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has decided to reinstate fast bowler Lasith Malinga's central contract. Malinga was earlier not handed the contract on the excuse that he had not represented his country for a sufficient period of time due to a knee injury which ruled him out for eight months. The decision was taken by the interim committee on Tuesday.

Duleep Mendis, SLC's chief executive, said Malinga would be given his contract from the period it was handed to the other contracted players and that he would receive the back payments as well.

A media release from Austin Management stated Malinga hopes to regain full fitness and return to first-class cricket soon having recovered from the injury.

"I am now pain-free and working really hard on my physical rehabilitation with the help of the Sri Lanka Cricket physiotherapists," Malinga said. "I am really looking forward to bowling again and want to regain my place in the Sri Lankan team as soon as possible."

Malinga sustained the injury during the CB Series in Australia in February.