I play the game of cricket for myself

I play the game of cricket for myself

-- Lasith Malinga

Lasith Malinga the former captain of 20 - 20 yesterday voiced his opinion saying that he is not in a position to play on behalf of the country and that he always tried to play on his own personal behalf , but that in the end it influenced for a victory for the country. Malinda expressed these words during the

festival held yesterday (08) at the Sri Lanka Cricket Board prior to the Sri Lankan team's departure for the T 20 World Cup. 

What Malinga said on that occasion was that he participated according to his conscience on behalf of the country for 12 years and that he entertains no hopes that he would get a place in the World Cup team. He also added that if by chance he would be offered a chance, he hopes to make maximum use of that opportunity and display his abilities. 

"I hope to play in the first match in the World Cup. Since 14 best players are taking part for the World Cup I don't think that I would be able to enter the team at once. I also may have to sit on the bench and wait till I get the opportunity. If I get a chance ... it's not possible for me to play cricket on behalf of the country as such. I try to clinch wickets on behalf of my ownself. Something that I always think is that if I play cricket in a personal sense, it ultimately creates an influence for the sake of the country. If I get a match .... I hope to display my best. Whether it's for the sake of the country ... or for my sake; that is not relevant to me. If I am to retain my position as a bowler in the team, I should get wickets. If I am not able to get wickets ... I have no intention of remaining in the team. At the end of a match, there should be some wickets recorded under my name. Only then that I have done something for myself. That could influence the country in the end".

Information -- Pethum Shri Wijayarathna