Four in Four

I first became aware of Lasith Malinga a few years back, when, so the memory tells me, Sri Lanka were playing Australia in the 'Top End' series in Cairns and Darwin. A few glimpses of him on Sky during those Tests were enough to indicate that here was an interesting customer. Pacier than any previous Sri Lankan bowler and with an action so slingy that he made Fidel Edwards look like Shaun Pollock, it was clear that he was one to watch.

That he remains, and last night he became the first bowler in ODI history to take four wickets with consecutive balls, although his efforts weren't quite enough to prevent South Africa winning. With Australia completing a comprehensive dissection of the West Indies in Antigua, it's all too easy to start wondering if anyone else can challenge them over the next month, but at least both Sri Lanka and South Africa look as though they might be able to give them a run for their money (although the Proteas, of course, have already tried and failed once). The next few days will confirm where England and New Zealand, the only other possible contenders beyond those already mentioned, stand.