Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Mohan de Silva said that the panel after examining all the MRI scans taken on his injured leg yesterday is of the opinion that with rest and proper management Malinga will be able to recover and return to play cricket again.

De Silva said that SLC has requested for a comprehensive report on Malinga’s injury from the panel and they expect it to be available to them sometime next week.

However it is learnt that Malinga will be out of action for at least six months and with proper management and rest he will be able resume his career.

Malinga 32 is suffering from a bone bruise which doctors say occurs as a result of sustaining forceful impacts while playing sports. In the case of a bowler like Malinga, his left knee supports his entire body weight during his delivery stride.

The medical panel comprises Prof Arjuna de Silva, Dr Harindu Wijesinghe, Dr Kithsiri and Dr Tharindu Wijesinghe.

“Malinga was originally expected to undergo the test on December 23 but it was postponed by three days on the advice of his doctors,” said chief selector Kapila Wijegunawardene.

Malinga who is struggling to be fit from a bone related injury to his left knee which he sustained during the ODI series against West Indies in October-November is being attended to by consultant physician Dr Arjuna de Silva and consultant rheumatologist Dr Harindu Wijesinghe in consultation with orthopaedic surgeon Dr David Young in Australia.

“Lasith’s injury is not a serious one but he is experiencing some pain. We as selectors have the utmost confidence that he will come through the test and be available for at least the second half of the ODI series,” said Wijegunawardene.

“We know Lasith is a tough character and he has managed himself well in the past even with injuries. However we will not push him too much. We will take a cautious approach as we will need him for the important tournaments ahead like the Asia Cup and the World T20,” he said.

Malinga is the captain of the Sri Lanka T20 side that won the World T20 held in Bangladesh last year and will defend their title in India in March.

Fast bowling all-rounder Thisara Perera has been flown to New Zealand as Malinga’s replacement while Nuwan Kulasekara has taken the place of injured Dhammika Prasad and Kithuruwan Vithanage drafted into the ODI side for Kusal Perera.