The story of Lasith Malinga is the story of a poor rustic who because of his rare talents in cricket has shot to stardom. Another log cabin to Whitehouse or a Dick Withinghton story. He is today one of the most sought after and one of the highest earners in international Cricket. In fact today he enjoys celebrity status in the cricket world. It is indeed an achievement to be admired.

Several letters have appeared in the newspapers recently condemning him for relentlessly going after big money and not being one bit concerned about the country. Needless to emphasize the playing lifetime of most professional cricketers is very short. Only a handful goes on to play for ten years or more. Apart from the ever present danger of getting injured even at practices they are subject to the vagaries of form, intense competition and the whims of selectors. In Sri Lanka there are powerful forces that make puppets out of selectors!

We need to understand that there are outstanding sportsmen who are not competent enough to manage their finances or plan out their careers. Only a few are in a position to take up to coaching, umpiring, commentating, refereeing, groundmanship, sports journalism or embark on the sports goods industry. In my candid view Malinga does not belong to this few. It is abundantly clear that the vast majority have to make the most during a brief period that will help to sustain them for the rest of their lives. Making the most does not of course mean been dishonest such as ‘match fixing’ or tipping off bookmakers.

Writing to the Island about fifteen years ago on this subject I remember ending the letter with apologies to the English Poet Herrick:

“Gather ye greenbacks while ye may, Old time is still a flying, The same crowd that cheers today will be booing tomorrow.”