Sri Lanka on Thursday recalled veteran fast bowler Lasith Malinga to the squad for a series of T20Is in Australia this month after his recovery from a long-running knee problem.

The 33-year-old has not played international cricket since last February when Sri Lanka suffered an early exit from the Asia Cup after being plagued by injury worries.

Malinga gave up Test cricket in 2010 after deciding he was unable to withstand the rigour of five-day matches but has continued to make himself available for T20s and 50 over cricket.

Thilanga Sumathipala, president of the Sri Lankan cricket board, told reporters that Malinga had proved his fitness and even pencilled the former skipper in for the next 50 over World Cup being played in England in 2019.