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IPL 2016: Jerome Taylor named as Lasith Malinga's replacement

Jerome Taylor has been roped in as a new Mumbai Indians player

Mumbai Indians fast bowler, Lasith Malinga has been ruled out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to injury. West Indian fast-bowler, Jerome Taylor has been roped in as the replacement for the Sri Lankan bowler.

Malinga was first expected to miss out on the first part of the IPL. However, now that his complete recovery is not going to happen anytime soon, the Mumbai franchise has decided to go with the 31-year-old fast bowler.

The bone bruise that Malinga suffered on his left knee might even miss out on the tour of England and the following Caribbean Premier League later this year. The former Sri Lankan T20I captain had been injured during the series against West Indies in November last year.

In the last five months, Malinga has played only one match for Sri Lanka and also missed the ICC World T20 2016. The bone bruise had troubled Malinga early in his career and forced him to retire from Tests at the age of 27.

Taylor, who hails from Jamaica, has played 5 matches in the IPL during the 2011 season. He had played 5 matches for the Kings XI Punjab and the now-defunct Pune Warriors India.

Although Taylor has featured more in the Test format, the West Indian has a good record in the shortest format of the game. In 61 matches, Taylor has picked up 74 wickets at an average of 23.18 and an economy rate of 7.81. The vast experience that Taylor has in the format will definitely hold good for the Mumbai Indians.

With the Mumbai side struggling in the IPL, it could add some extra flavour into the squad and help turn the fortunes of the defending champions.

“Taylor will be available for selection for Mumbai subject to the completion of contractual paperwork formalities. The pacer has previously played in IPL representing Kings XI Punjab and the Pune Warriors franchise,” an IPL statement said on Wednesday.

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