Lasith Malinga last played for Sri Lanka in February 2016 at the Asia Cup against the United Arab Emirates after which, injuries have kept him out of action, which saw him miss the ICC World Twenty20 and subsequently, the Indian Premier League. Back in the Sri Lanka Twenty20 International squad for the three-match series in Australia, he's already creating waves in the opposition camp.

Malinga was expected to make a comeback to international cricket in the limited-overs series against South Africa earlier in the year, but being diagnosed by dengue, delayed his return.

However, Malinga is now set to test his fitness in the warm-up game against the Prime Minister's XI on Wednesday (February 15) before making a comeback in the first T20I in Melbourne. The hosts, expectedly, aren't taking him lightly.

"Every game he's a match winner," Pat Cummins told cricket.com.au on Tuesday (February 14). "The hardest challenge is to pick where the arm is. It's a lot lower. Watch out of the slower balls but he's also very dangerous when he swings it."

Ben Dunk, who marks a return to the Australia T20I side after last having played a three-match series against South Africa in 2014, is eager to take on the challenge having faced him in the Big Bash League on several occasions. "He's obviously a world class bowler and a World Cup winner. I'm looking forward to the challenge and getting one over him," he said.

While others are vary of the threat Malinga posses, Moises Henriques is just happy to see him back playing cricket. "I think it's fantastic and for cricket to actually see him back," said the all-rounder.

After the first game in Melbourne, both teams travel to Geelong and Adelaide for the remaining two games on February 19 and 22.

(Cricbuzz)