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Lasith Malinga makes welcome return to ODIs for Sri Lanka

LONDON (AP) Even though he is no longer Sri Lanka’s best player, Lasith Malinga brings a much needed superstar presence.

Malinga failed to make a major impact during his first one-day international since November 2015 on Saturday, in the defeat to South Africa in the Champions Trophy, but his return was still a welcome one.

The only player to have three ODI hat tricks, and who has led Sri Lanka to two Cricket World Cup finals, has limited his appearances because of injuries and a preference for Twenty20s.

In February, Malinga returned from a yearlong absence from competitive cricket caused by a knee injury, and until Saturday he had competed only in T20s.