Malinga a doubftul starter for IPL

Lasith Malinga, the Sri Lankan fast bowler, says he is struggling to be fit for the start of next month's Indian Premier League (IPL).

A niggling knee injury ruled Malinga out of Sri Lanka's Test and ODI series in the West Indies but he hoped to be a part of the Mumbai Indians' squad.

"I've had this injury in Australia and played with it," Malinga said. "However as it got worse I couldn't tour the West Indies too. I would have loved to be with the team and enjoy its success. I am still under treatment and working hard.

"It is tough at this stage to be sure about IPL, but I am very hopeful I can make it."

Malinga, 24, was bought by Mumbai for US$350,000 in the Twenty20 competition that starts on April 18 and finishes on June 1. Mumbai - who have two other Sri Lankans in Sanath Jayasuriya and Dilhara Fernando - kick off their IPL campaign the against Bangalore Royal Challengers on April 20.