Mumbai: Lasith Malinga's fitness report has been submitted to the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board by three specialists, it is learnt here.
According to sources in Colombo, the three experts — Dr Harindu Wijesinghe, Prof Arjuna P de Silva and Dr Thushantha Wijesinghe —are unanimous in their report, which suggests that the 33-year-old pace bowler needs rest and no specific treatment but regular review by the physio and trainer.
Interestingly, Malinga is believed to have had acted against medical advice given by another Sri Lankan doctor (now based in Australia), Siri Kannangara.
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Speaking exclusively from Australia on Tuesday evening, Dr Kannangara confirmed, "I had examined Malinga in January during one of my two trips to Sri Lanka and had advised him to take a "minimum" of 6 months rest. He was also made aware that this six-month period could still exceed. This period is still not over and I wonder why did he chose to play in the Asia Cup."
Malinga, though played one match against UAE (at Mirpur) in February, i.e. the very next month after the advice was given to him by the specialist, and ultimately may have aggravated the injury.
Apparently, Malinga did come to play the IPL matches for Mumbai Indians also, but the Indian doctors ruled him out, but that is a different story.
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Doctor Kannangara did not say in clear words that the present day cricketers play only for money, but had Malinga listened to his advice, he could have been on a better recovery path.
"I had prescribed him few intra-vein injections (not cortisone). I don't know whether Malinga did take these injections or he may have consulted other doctor and decided to play," he said.
"That (to play) was his decision and I can't comment on this," he added.
Dr Kannangara is likely to arrive in Sri Lanka next month before going to London. "I will not advise Malinga unless and until my advice is sought by him," the doctor clarified.
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He has treated few international cricketers including India's Sachin Tendulkar. "Sri Lankan pacer Chaminda Vaas had advised Tendulkar to consult me and I treated him for his back pain," he pointed out.
Viv and Barry Richards (West Indies and South Africa), Clive Lloyd and many other ex-players have been successfully treated by Dr Kannangara. Sri Lanka's World Cup winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga still consults him.
