It's official: Lasith Malinga is cricket's sexiest player

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Forget squash balls and Zimbabwe. The real issue of world cricket has been resolved with Lasith Malinga dubbed the World Cup's sexiest player. The title came from the Barbados Sunday Sun newspaper citing his "eye-catching, blonde-streaked curly hairdo, eyebrow ring and tattooed biceps." It's a shame they didn't announce it before the tournament. Fear of having his thunder stolen might have coaxed Shane Warne out of retirement.

Now you'd think this could be another SquashBallGate-like controversy that has Australians and Sri Lankans at loggerheads. Malinga hunkier than the square jaw and six-pack abs of Shane Watson? Or the heartthrob crooning of Brett Lee? Fortunately, I doubt you'll find many Australian men lining up to defend their players' sexiness. And if anything, it's Sri Lankans who seem to have a problem with Malinga's new tag:

The accolade has not gone down well with everyone in his home country. "Those in Barbados got their wires crossed," said a reader of the state-run Daily News, Ranjith Chandrasekera. "He is a good cricketer, but not a decent-looking gentleman." His presentation tarnished the "respectable outlook of the rest of the team," he said, adding that Malinga should uphold the traditions of a "country boy coming from a good cultural background."

Another reader of the Daily News did not like Malinga's appearance, but did not object too much. "I myself was not impressed by Malinga's hairstyle etc," wrote Romaine L. "However, he did bring a fresh and fun attitude to the field."

I thought Australia was filled with current affair watching, unkempt youngster hating baby boomers. It seems we don't hold a monopoly on conservatism (somehow a comforting and disturbing thought at the same time). Personally, I'm not fussed about Malinga's appearance but a little perturbed by how much thought and effort he puts into it. Colombo hairdresser Nishantha Jayasekera gives us the skinny:

"Malinga likes to stand out, so he goes for unusual styles unlike the other well-known cricketers. Malinga has his own hair ideas and he is not afraid to try out anything new. It took me two days to get the look."

So he spent two days at the hairdresser to get his hair just right? That takes modern metrosexuality to new heights. Now I'm not saying men shouldn't look after their appearance. I had somewhat of an epiphany last night at touch footy. I heard the opposing defender marking me call out to his teammates "I've got Mick Molloy." Talk about a blow to the confidence! So maybe I should upgrade my grooming efforts from a quick application of deodorant and briefly running my fingers through my hair each morning. But two days at the hairdresser? I guess a professional sportsman has to find something to fill the gaps between tournaments.

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Posted by JC on Thu 10 May

15 comments

JC's attempt at a topic change Number 2.....

Heres hoping.....

I actually find that hair style quite disturbing. Personally I reckon the hair style is for marketing reasons. Think "Australian Idol". Its much easier to become popular if you are easy to recognise. Of course some players get the hairstyle wrong *cough* Bracken *cough*.

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Posted by Andrew on 2007-05-10 12:53:24

Come on, surely the whole squash ball thing is over now. I've already got two new blog posts lined up based on news over the last few days and neither are squash ball related (but I'm limiting myself to 1 post per day).

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Posted by JC on 2007-05-10 13:45:46

It's true that some conservatives back here in Sri Lanka, don't like Malinga's hair. But, I think no one would care their resistance. Majority like it. Malinga is the latest star among Sri Lankan youngsters. As some one said, this is really good for marketing. In fact, Malinga is "selling well" even among advertisers in Sri Lanka. He's a very simple & honest character coming from a small townhood in southern part of the island.

In a recent TV interview, when asked about how he improved him self during the world cup, he replied "It's simple. If I want to play in the next match, I have to take wickets in this match. Otherwise selectors will opt for another bowler in the next match. So, every time I get the ball in my hand, I just went there and did my best to take wickets"

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Posted by Voice in Colombo on 2007-05-10 14:24:37

I thought Marto looked quite good,especially the way he batted.It was a treat to watch...

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Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2007-05-10 17:29:08

I think that Malinga spends so long on his hair because he needs somewhere to hide his performance-enhancing squash balls.

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Posted by Jonny on 2007-05-10 19:43:10

Look fellah's you simply can't go past big Mervyn Hughes for a classic (and man's) haircut. As for the silly and plain stoopid, here's ma top 5:

Kevin 'look at me' Pietersen, Andy 'I'm a West Indian' Symonds,
Colin 'funky' Miller,
Greg 'hair-hat' Matthews,
and dear old Warney, our resident victim of fashion for 15yrs.

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Posted by virtualgaz on 2007-05-10 21:39:06

Lasith's hair was cooler when it was braided.

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Posted by stumps on 2007-05-12 10:10:10

lasith malinga is so nice.in every sense of the word

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Posted by saman on 2007-06-12 20:28:21

His new hair is the best eva!!

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Posted by Roshan on 2007-07-12 23:55:12

no one has the right to judge, only god.
please dnt pik on my mans hair, your'll are just jealous, your'll dnt look so hot!!!

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Posted by melony on 2007-08-04 23:41:07

I seriosly think Malinga's hair is the best ever!!No doubt about that! There will never be another cricketer like Mali. He is soo Uniqe and that's what people love about him. I am a Sri Lankan and through mu point of view, nearly every single girl here just loves Lasith Malinga!!

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Posted by Dahara on 2007-09-01 20:04:35

ok i knw da guy personally and he is a big flirt...so gals watch out cz this guy is a bad boy who dusn belive in love!!!!as 4 his hair i was there wen he did it 2...and its his wish i think its his individual taste and no 1 can judge him 4 his hair..only his performance in cricket can b judged!!! as a friend he is loyal and as a cricketer he is determined and consistent so iv got no complaints...jus remember he is no saint!!!cricketers are human beings 2..sumtyms its funny 2 think of ur friends as international idols...il b dead if he knws i wrote about him being flirt though...he he he!but basicaly he is a gud persun even though his silence is often misinterpreted as arrogance!!!

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Posted by m on 2008-02-29 23:50:36

woahh!

malinga is the best!
his bowling is the greatest .. i come from the same place as he does ,, and i think his hair is awesome soo much people ,, lets say "dont like it" but i cant see why they dont seriously ,, he is awesome ,, he's such a cool guy too.. from when i was taljking to him.. and yes maliga is the sexiest cricketer in the world isn't that awesom ,, i think he's CUTE AS!!!
byee
lankan pride =]

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Posted by masha on 2008-04-18 22:24:30

the comment about him being a flirt ,, is that true .. cause i hava friend in aus and they were like flirting and stuff..are u saying he does this to everyone,, damm my frendzz gonna be upset.. how do u know this anywayzz

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Posted by masha on 2008-04-18 22:28:11

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