Sri Lanka Cricket / Editor / 19 April 2007 / Leave a comment

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene has revealed that Lasith Malinga should be fit for the World Cup semi-finals.

The paceman has missed his country's last three Super 8 games, against New Zealand, Australia and Ireland, because of an ankle injury.

But Malinga, who has taken 15 wickets in the tournament, should be available for Sri Lanka when the tournament reaches the last-four stage.

Jayawardene revealed that Malinga was close to featuring on Wednesday against Ireland, but had been rested as a continued precaution.

The skipper said: "He's probably 90 percent okay, we probably should have played him today but we didn't want to take the risk.
"We don't want to take too many risks. He should be ready to go in the semi-finals, definitely."

Sri Lanka officials are not as confident over the fitness of Dilhara Fernando, who has also been struggling with an ankle problem.
Jayawardene added: "Dilhara played against Australia with an ankle problem. He had two injections in it and he needs to prove his fitness before the semi-finals."

The injury updates will certainly offer greater hope for those punters who have backed Sri Lanka for success in the Caribbean. The 1996 winners are trading at 1.89 to reach the final and can be backed at 5.1 to lift the trophy.
Meanwhile, Malinga is now trading at 24 to finish the tournament as the top wicket taker - a market headed by Glenn McGrath (2.06).