By Revatha Silva Former ace fast-bowler Lasith Malinga can still play for Sri Lanka, revealed Sri Lanka coach Chandika Hathurusingha on Wednesday, August 15. “Malinga can still play for Sri Lanka if he is to play in the domestic circuit so that the selectors can have a look at how he’s performing. Then the selectors will have a chance to decide whether his services are required in the national team,” said Hathurusingha in a media briefing held in Colombo following Sri Lanka’s series against South Africa. Malinga did not play any international cricket since September last year due to nagging injury problems. With his unorthodox low-slung action Malinga has claimed 301 ODI wickets at an average of 28.92 but his career looked a spent force particularly since the 2015 World Cup. “We have about three more tours before the next World Cup. Therefore we have enough time to give opportunity to the prospective players and then pick the best for the tournament,” added Hathurusingha. Known for his arrogant remarks, Malinga had had a soured relationship in recent times with the local sports authorities especially since he took on former Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara in the media. The fact that he continued to play in the IPL franchise league for many years after retiring from Tests in 2011 caused resentment among his fans. Last May, the bowler skipped a local inter-provincial one-day tournament to honour his commitment as a bowling mentor of IPL franchise, Mumbai Indians. The next ICC World Cup is to be held in England and Wales from 30 May next year. Before that, they will play in the Asia Cup in UAE and also involve in ODI series against England, New Zealand and South Africa with the latter two to be held away from home.