By Roy Ward
HAWTHORN-Monash University has secured Sri Lankan cricket star Lasith Malinga for one Premier Cricket Twenty20 game on December 2.
The 28-year-old fast-bowler will play for the Hawks against Footscray-Edgewater at Monash University Oval 1 in a regular season Twenty20 game.
The game will be part of Monash University’s Harmony Day festival, which promises to be a major university event.
Malinga’s signing is expected to be announced this afternoon at Monash University when he is announced as an import player for Big Bash club Melbourne Stars.
While Malinga’s appearance will be a major boost for the Hawks, who are attempting to climb back to prominence in Premier Cricket, the Sri Lankan star will be the centrepiece of Harmony day aimed at drawing more Monash area residents to both the university and the cricket club.
Hawks president Petar Ivetic confirmed Malinga would play “one game and one game only” for the Hawks.
He also rubbished reports published earlier today stating Malinga was in negotiations to play three matches for the club.
Ivetic said that would be impossible due to Malinga’s commitments with the Stars and his preparations for the upcoming ICC Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka from September 17-October 7.
“The festival and the game will raise Monash University’s exposure and raise exposure of Premier Cricket to new migrants and residents throughout the Monash area,” Ivetic said.
“So it’s great for club and university and above all it’s about getting more kids playing cricket.”
