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3/17/2015 Jayawardene praises Malinga's commitment | Cricket | ESPN Cricinfo http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/content/story/851139.html?wrappertype=print 1/2 World Cup 2015: Sri Lanka March 16, 2015 Jayawardene praises Malinga's commitment Andrew Fidel Fernando in Sydney 60 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment shares 60 Play 00:42 'We need to stick to our basics' - Jayasuriya Mahela Jayawardene has praised Lasith Malinga's commitment to returning to form after a five-month layoff, as Sri Lanka prepare for their quarter-final against South Africa on Wednesday. Malinga had been Sri Lanka's most penetrative bowler in the group stage. Although he collected figures of 0 for 84 from the curtain-raiser against New Zealand, he has since taken 11 wickets at an average of 28.27. He was particularly impressive against Australia, as he claimed 2 for 59 from his 10 overs, even as the team conceded 376. Malinga had had an operation on his left ankle - which bears a considerable load during his delivery stride - in September. His first competitive cricket upon return were the warm-up matches ahead of the World Cup. "Lasith's put in a lot of effort over the last three or four weeks to get into rhythm," Jayawardene said. "You have to give him a lot of credit, having had an operation on his ankle. He hasn't bowled for four months, and it takes a lot for a guy to come back for a big tournament. The biggest thing for him was to mentally be ready to land that foot 100% knowing that there was no pain. Once he did that he's bowling really well. "I think the Australia game and the England game before that, his finishing has been pretty good, his movement has been good, the variations have come good. When that happens the rest of the bowling unit picks themselves up around Lasith. When Lasith's a bit down, everyone else is a bit down as well, so the last few games have been good. You don't want to peak too early. You want to play your best cricket at the business end." Herath doubtful for quarter-final Rangana Herath remains in doubt for the quarter-final against South Africa on Wednesday, after the decision was made that he would not bowl in either of Sunday or Monday's training sessions. A firmer call will be made on Herath's availability for the match, but potential replacement Tharindu Kaushal has already begun training with the Sri Lanka side. However, chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya was optimistic about Herath's recovery. "The stitches have been taken off and he'll be ready for the match,"Jayasuriya said on Monday. "That's what I'm thinking, it will depend on today and tomorrow, probably tomorrow." Jayawardene hit a match-winning hundred against Afghanistan after his team had slipped to 18 for 3, then 51 for 4 chasing 233, but has since had limited opportunities to spend time in the middle. He was not required in the matches against Bangladesh and England, in which Sri Lanka only lost one wicket each, but then got himself run out against

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World Cup 2015: Sri Lanka March 16, 2015

Jayawardene praises Malinga's commitment

Andrew Fidel Fernando in Sydney60 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment shares 60

Play 00:42'We need to stick to our basics' - Jayasuriya

Mahela Jayawardene has praised Lasith Malinga's commitment to returning to form after a five-month layoff, as SriLanka prepare for their quarter-final against South Africa on Wednesday.

Malinga had been Sri Lanka's most penetrative bowler in the group stage. Although he collected figures of 0 for 84from the curtain-raiser against New Zealand, he has since taken 11 wickets at an average of 28.27. He was particularlyimpressive against Australia, as he claimed 2 for 59 from his 10 overs, even as the team conceded 376.

Malinga had had an operation on his left ankle - which bears a considerable load during his delivery stride - inSeptember. His first competitive cricket upon return were the warm-up matches ahead of the World Cup.

"Lasith's put in a lot of effort over the last three or four weeks to get into rhythm," Jayawardene said. "You have togive him a lot of credit, having had an operation on his ankle. He hasn't bowled for four months, and it takes a lot fora guy to come back for a big tournament. The biggest thing for him was to mentally be ready to land that foot 100%knowing that there was no pain. Once he did that he's bowling really well.

"I think the Australia game and the England game before that, his finishing has been pretty good, his movement hasbeen good, the variations have come good. When that happens the rest of the bowling unit picks themselves uparound Lasith. When Lasith's a bit down, everyone else is a bit down as well, so the last few games have been good.You don't want to peak too early. You want to play your best cricket at the business end."

Herath doubtful for quarter-final

Rangana Herath remains in doubt for the quarter-final against South Africa on Wednesday, after the decision wasmade that he would not bowl in either of Sunday or Monday's training sessions.

A firmer call will be made on Herath's availability for the match, but potential replacement Tharindu Kaushal has alreadybegun training with the Sri Lanka side. However, chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya was optimistic about Herath'srecovery.

"The stitches have been taken off and he'll be ready for the match,"Jayasuriya said on Monday. "That's what I'mthinking, it will depend on today and tomorrow, probably tomorrow."

Jayawardene hit a match-winning hundred against Afghanistan after his team had slipped to 18 for 3, then 51 for 4chasing 233, but has since had limited opportunities to spend time in the middle. He was not required in the matchesagainst Bangladesh and England, in which Sri Lanka only lost one wicket each, but then got himself run out against

3/17/2015 Jayawardene praises Malinga's commitment | Cricket | ESPN Cricinfo

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Australia for 19, and miscued an expansive shot against Scotland, early in his innings.

"The top-order guys have been batting really well, which is a good thing for us," Jayawardene said. "But if they missout, then obviously the onus is back on me to make sure that we control things. That's how it is. In big tournamentsand big games, we've been playing some good cricket together. We just need to make sure we hold our nerve."

Sri Lanka's recent history of holding their nerve in vital games jars with South Africa's reputation for cracking underpressure, but Jayawardene said Sri Lanka could not bank on the opposition falling apart again. His team would insteadaim to approach the quarter-final as just another match, he said.

"It's all about us playing good cricket and you can't play good cricket if you put yourself under pressure. It hampersyour thinking processes. It's important that we play good cricket and whatever the end result, we can then talkabout it afterwards. But if we start thinking about winning, winning, winning, it 's going to be tough for them to goout and perform. That's how we have been playing for a long time and it 's helped. There is no other secret to it. It'sabout guys handling that pressure much better than others.

"What we have spoken to the guys is that we are playing South Africa. They are a quality team and have got somefantastic players. We need to play assuming that they are going to bring their A game. If they fail to do that, then itis on their heads, but we can't talk about that."

Jayawardene also said Kumar Sangakkara's bumper crop of hundreds in the tournament was another manifestation ofhis consistency over a career. As Sangakkara approaches ODI retirement, he appears set to become the first Sri Lankabatsman to finish with an ODI average above 40.

"Apart from probably the first three years in his career, and maybe a year in between, Sanga has been veryconsistent. He is just enjoying himself. We know that we are not going to play cricket anymore. It's not a burden forus - it is about going out and enjoying ourselves. I don't think Sanga would have played to get four centuries in arow, but the occasions came about. I think it is due to the attitude and the commitment the guy has."

Andrew Fidel Fernando is ESPNcricinfo's Sri Lanka correspondent. @andrewffernando

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