'I like teasing batsmen'

The rising profile of Lasith Malinga was evident last Thursday as he destroyed Bangladesh's lower order, taking three wickets in the fourth morning to help Sri Lanka to victory by an innings and 234 runs. Nagraj Gollapudi spoke to Malinga, who made headlines in the World Cup with his 18-wicket haul, including four wickets in four balls against South Africa.

Why are there so few top bowlers in international cricket. Is it because there are too many top-class batsmen and every youngster wants to become one?

The way I see it, its mainly because a bowler takes time to improve. You just can't become world class in a match or two. To get into the groove you need at least two or three years. Then there is the fitness side of things: unlike most batsmen, a bowler would have had many injuries in comparison. The physical strain on the body takes a huge toll and that's probably why most bowlers end up leaving early. Only the fit ones stick around.

What are the advantages that come to you being 5'8" with a low centre of gravity? And what are the disadvantages?

Well, I like the fact that batsman find it hard to pick-up my action at once. Plus, it is easier to get reverse swing with a low action. When the ball gets older, from the 15-over mark, I can come back into the attack and get the old ball to swing. That's a real advantage. The only disadvantage I see would be the lack of bounce I get in comparison to other bowlers.

Do you like taking on the batsman?

Yes, I do. When the ball is in my hand I know that it only takes one good delivery to send him packing. I like teasing the batsman. It's interesting to keep them guessing.

A batsman you enjoyed bowling to in the World Cup?

I certainly enjoyed bowling to Ross Taylor in the semi-final. I would have bowled maybe around five overs to him, but not once did he hit the ball in the middle. There was a lot of swing and plenty of playing and missing. It was great fun.

What type of batsman is the most difficult to bowl to?

A defensive batsman - it's always harder to bowl at a defensive player because you must force the error.

The four wickets in four balls against South Africa in the World Cup: What was

your strategy when Mahela Jayawardene gave you the ball? And after which wicket did you feel you could do something special?

Well, when Mahela [Jayawardene] gave me the ball he said "we're going to lose the match unless you produce something very special - just give it everything". I did exactly that. After getting my third wicket is when I thought we had a good chance because [Jacques] Kallis was out and the newcomers were not batsmen. But, unfortunately, we lost the game. It came as a wake-up call in a way, I guess, because I realised that day that with a little bit of willpower and self-belief you can do amazing things on the cricket field.

What is your most effective trick to catch a batsman off-guard?

I would say my most effective trick is the fact that with any new batsman I go on the attack immediately. You have a better chance of getting your man at the start of his innings and I go straight for the kill.

You kiss the ball each time you go back to your mark - it seems a ritual. What do you say to yourself?

Everything I am today is because of a simple cricket ball and I respect it very much. It's just an act of respect.

Strangely, you don't sledge batsman. Why?

I never was one in favour of sledging. A bowler's job is to get wickets and it's to get it through his talent and not use unsportsmanlike conduct. International cricket is the biggest league and when you represent your country and act like that on the field it reflects badly on yourself, the team and the country. Besides: what's the big achievement anyway? I like doing my thing the way it's supposed to be done.