Lasith Malinga Age, Height, Family, Career, Net Worth, Lifestyle & Facts

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Real Name: Separamadu Lasith Malinga Swarnajith

Nickname: Kagawena, Slinga, Slinga Malinga

Profession: Cricketer (Bowler)

Date of Birth: 28 August 1983

Age (as in 2017): 34 Years

Zodiac sign/Sun sign: Virgo

Nationality: Sri Lankan

Hometown: Galle, Sri Lanka

Religion: Buddhism

Marriage Date: January 22, 2010

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EDUCATION

School: Vidyathilake Vidyalaya, Thiranagama Vidyaloka College, Galle

College: Mahinda College, Galle

Educational Qualification: Not Known

PHYSICAL STATISTICS

Height (approx.): in centimeters- 170 cm in meters- 1.70 m in Feet Inches- 5’ 7”

Weight (approx.): in Kilograms- 75 kg in Pounds- 165 lbs

Body Measurements (approx.): – Chest: 41 Inches – Waist: 33 Inches – Biceps: 14 Inches

Eye Colour: Dark Brown

Hair Colour: Black (Dyed Golden-Brown)

FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS

Family: Father – Name Not Known Mother – Name Not Known Brother – Not Known Sister – Not Known

Marital Status: Married

Affairs/Girlfriends: Not Known

Wife: Tanya Perera, Dancer/Choreographer

Children: Daughter – 1 Son – Duvin

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

International Debut: Test – 1 July 2004 vs Australia in Darwin ODI – 17 July 2004 vs UAE in Dambulla T20 – 15 June 2006 vs England in Southampton

Records/Achievements (main ones): • As of March 2017, Lasith Malinga is the only bowler in cricket history to have taken 4 wickets in 4 consecutive balls, achieving the feat against South Africa in 2007. • Malinga is the only player in the world with two world cup hat-tricks to his name. While the first came against the proteas at the 2007 World Cup, the second was recorded against Kenya at the 2011 World Cup. • He is the first and until now the only bowler in history to take 3 hat-tricks in ODI Cricket. • As of February 2017, with 311 wickets in 227 matches, Malinga is the second highest wicket-taker in the T20 format. • As of January 2017, despite featuring in only 7 seasons of the IPL, Malinga is the leading wicket-taker in the tournament’s history with 143 wickets in 98 games. • With unbelievable numbers of 6/7, he still holds the best bowling figures in Big Bash history. • While batting at number 10 for Sri Lanka, Malinga once scored 56 runs with the bat, thus becoming the highest run-getter ever at number 10 position for Sri Lanka. Additionally, with this knock, he became the 4th highest run-scorer overall at the aforesaid batting position.

OTHER INFORMATION

Coach/Mentor: Chamapaka Ramanayake (Former Sri Lankan cricketer)

Jersey Number: #99 (Srilanka) #99 (Mumbai Indians)

Domestic/State Teams: Mumbai Indians, Middlesex, Ruhuna Royals, Melbourne Stars, Ruhuna Reds, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Jamaica Tallawahs

Nature on field: Aggressive

Favourite Ball: Yorker

Birth Place: Galle, Sri Lanka

Hobbies: Listening to music

Favourite Cricketer: Aravinda de Silva

INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Born and raised in the modest surroundings of Rathgama, a small village in Sri Lanka, Lasith Malinga’s journey to becoming one of cricket’s most formidable bowlers is nothing short of remarkable. His talent was first recognized by former cricketer Chamapaka Ramanayake, who happened to spot Malinga bowling in the streets. This serendipitous encounter set the stage for a cricketing career that would ultimately see Malinga become a ‘record-machine,’ celebrated for his unique prowess on the field. Until the age of seventeen, Malinga honed his skills with a soft ball on the beach, drawing from the natural environment to refine his craft before making his momentous debut with a leather ball.

At just 17, Malinga made a significant mark in the cricketing world by debuting for the Galle Cricket Club, where he took an impressive eight wickets in his first-class match, firmly establishing his potential. His introduction to the international arena began in 2001, although it was not without complications. Initially, he bowled against the Sri Lankan squad in nets but was soon sidelined due to concerns over injuries he might inflict with his unconventional bowling style. Renowned cricketer Aravinda de Silva noted the intrigue surrounding Malinga as preparations for the 2003 World Cup began, highlighting his rising profile in the sport.

Malinga’s distinctive sling bowling action has long been a topic of discussion among cricket enthusiasts, with ongoing debates about its legitimacy. Despite the unconventional appearance of his delivery, experts have confirmed that his bowling meets the International Cricket Council’s regulations concerning elbow flexion. On the field, Malinga is known for his superstitious rituals, often kissing the ball prior to each delivery, a ritual that adds an element of mystique to his performance. His unusual style once evoked a request from Stephen Fleming during a match in 2005, when the New Zealand captain humorously asked umpires to remove their ties so the batsmen could better track Malinga’s deliveries that came at “weird angles.”

Malinga’s international debut in Test cricket came in 2004 against Australia, where he made a stunning impact by taking six wickets in challenging conditions in Darwin. As of November 2016, he stood as the second-highest wicket-taker in T20 cricket, amassing 299 wickets across 221 matches, an achievement underscored by his record of four five-wicket hauls—more than any other bowler in T20 history, with only Dwayne Bravo surpassing him. In One Day Internationals, Malinga has also made a name for himself with seven five-wicket hauls in 191 matches, trailing only a few legends, including compatriot Muttiah Muralitharan. His leadership skills came to the fore when he captained Sri Lanka to a T20 World Cup victory in 2014, defeating India in a thrilling final.

Beyond the cricket field, Malinga’s personality shines through his tattoos, each symbolizing his Sri Lankan pride, his life experiences, and pivotal moments in his career. His appeal transcends cricketing accomplishments; he was even named the “sexiest man in cricket” by a Barbados-based magazine, showcasing his charm and charisma. Though details about his personal habits, such as smoking or drinking, remain undisclosed, Malinga’s journey from a small village to global stardom continues to inspire many aspiring cricketers, with his legacy firmly etched in the annals of the sport.

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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.