Early Years
Malinga grew up in modest circumstances in Rathgama, and always enjoyed cricket. He often played out with friends on the sand banks and coconut groves by a river in his cricket-obsessed village. He first had his education at Devapathiraja College, Rathgama and then at Vidyaloka College, Galle. Later he moved to Mahinda College, Galle. Malinga started his cricket career at Vidyaloka College, where he was discovered by former Sri Lankan paceman Champaka Ramanayake. Champaka who was so impressed by Lasith Malinga's raw ability had invited him to join the cricket team of Galle Cricket Club. Champaka also helped him to join the first XI cricket team of Mahinda College, Galle. A short-lived attempt to make Malinga's action more upright led to much reduced pace and failing accuracy.Malinga promptly returned to his natural action with success,and with great encouragement from Champaka Ramanayake.
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Famous quotes related to early years:
“If there is a price to pay for the privilege of spending the early years of child rearing in the driver’s seat, it is our reluctance, our inability, to tolerate being demoted to the backseat. Spurred by our success in programming our children during the preschool years, we may find it difficult to forgo in later states the level of control that once afforded us so much satisfaction.”
—Melinda M. Marshall (20th century)