HE came, he slung, he conquered. Sri Lankan superstar Lasith Malinga’s one-off appearance for Hawthorn-Monash University proved a boon for the club and university.
Several hundred supporters came to see the fast bowler tune up for the looming Big Bash season with a big win over Footscray Edgewater in Premier Cricket Twenty20 on Sunday.
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Malinga provided plenty of excitement for the crowd, clean bowling Bulldogs star Dean Russ soon after being hit for two boundaries.
In his second over, ‘Slinga’ Malinga again hit the stumps to get Dogs opener Wes Robinson. He finished with 3-15 from four overs.
Malinga played the role of statesman, perfectly mixing media appearances and autograph requests with warm-ups alongside his new teammates.
He even got a welcome in Sinhalese from a Hawks teammate.
Hawks coach Keith Jansz said Malinga had given his full efforts to the day.
“I asked him if Greg Shipperd, his coach at Melbourne Stars, had given him any special instructions as to how he was to be used,” Jansz said. “He just said, ‘Janszy give me the ball, I’m ready’.”
The Bulldogs could only muster only 105 — Michael Hill top-scoring with 29.
The Hawks reached the total one down with five balls to spare.
SCOREBOARD
Firsts: Hawthorn-Monash University 1-106 d Footscray Edgewater 105 (M Hill 29).
Seconds: Hawthorn-Monash University 100 (J O’Grady 4-7) lt Footscray Edgewater 5-117 (S Hollins 43no L Dredge 26).
Thirds: Footscray Edgewater 6-117 (M Collinson 29 A Korsak 28) lt Hawthorn-Monash University 7-127.
Fourths: Hawthorn-Monash University 7-108 (H Qureshi 2-14 P Niklas 2-18) lt Footscray Edgewater 9-110 (J Koch 30 M Livingstone 27).
