HAWTHORN-Monash University has secured Sri Lankan 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 match will be part of Monash University’s Harmony Day festival, which promises to be a major university event.
Malinga will also play alongside Shane Warne for Big Bash League club Melbourne Stars this coming season.
While Malinga’s appearance will be a 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 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 last Tuesday that 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 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.”
Monash University sports director Martin Doulton was proud to see a player of Malinga’s stature playing on campus.
“Having Malinga play for the Hawks at our Clayton campus for the Harmony Day match will definitely provide an opportunity to bring our students together and create a deeper connection between the university and the Sri Lankan community,” Doulton said.
“Monash recognises the valuable contribution international students make to cultural diversity, and the Harmony Day match is intended to celebrate our cohesive and inclusive nature.”
