“Whether he will come between the ODIs and T20s – no one knows”

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Sri Lanka pace bowler Lasith Malinga is likely to miss the entire ODI series against New Zealand as he has not sufficiently recovered from a knee injury he suffered during the series against the West Indies in October and November.

It has already been confirmed that Malinga will miss the first two ODIs, but he is set to miss the whole series as he is still in Sri Lanka, while all-rounder Thisara Perera, who was named as his replacement, has joined up with the national team in Christchurch.

“He has not come for the ODIs,” team manager Jerry Woutersz said. “He’s feeling some discomfort in his knee. Whether he will come between the ODIs and T20s – no one knows.”

New Zealand batting coach Craig McMillan admitted that Malinga’s absence would be a major blow for Sri Lanka as he is one of their most senior players.

“What a contributor Malinga has been over a number of years for Sri Lanka,” McMillan said. “He has been their key fast bowler. He’s a handful. I’m sure they’ll miss him, but it gives an opportunity to some other younger guys in the squad.”