Sri Lanka and Australia will play three T20s and five ODIs. The SLC confirmed the appointment of Malinga in a statement on Thursday. As an expert coach, he will work with the bowlers on strategic aspects. The Sri Lankan board believes his experience, especially his ability to bowl death in T20, will help the team. “Sri Lankan cricket believes that Malinga’s experience and death bowling skills, especially in the T20 cricket – will greatly benefit the team in the upcoming series,” the SLC statement said.

This is not the first time. Malinga was on Sri Lanka’s coaching panel for the tour of Australia last January. Despite losing the five-match T20 series 4-1 at that time, the Sri Lankans’ bowling performance was satisfactory.

The first match of the Colombo T20 series will be played between Sri Lanka and Australia on June 7. The remaining two matches of the series will be played on June 8 and 11.

The ODI series will start on June 14. The remaining matches of the series are on June 16, 19, 21, and 24. The matches will be played in Colombo and Pallekele.

Malinga has also worked as a bowling mentor for the IPL team Rajasthan Royals, apart from working for the national team. He is also in that role. He was also a bowling consultant for the Mumbai Indians once in his playing career.