The Highveld Lions announced last week that the Sri Lankan Cricket Board had withdrawn fast bowler Lasith Malinga from the Standard Bank Pro series, due to injury and conditioning concerns.

The Lions are going to miss the services of Malinga, the Lions finished last on the MTN40 log having won only three games. Last year the Lions also finished last on the Pro20 Log, without a winning a game.

To make matters worse, the Lions have three of their front line bowlers sitting on the bench injured: Andre Nel, Craig Alexander and Friedel de Wet.