New Zealand allrounder Corey Anderson reckons he will have an advisory role to play if Sri Lanka unleash pace bowling trump card Lasith Malinga in the World Cup opener.
Malinga's steady recovery from ankle surgery in September has ruled him out of this month's seven-match one-day international series which concludes in Wellington on Thursday.
Team management have indicated the 31-year-old speedster is increasing his training workload and will be fit for World Cup warm-up games, followed by an appearance in the tournament opener against the Black Caps in Christchurch on February 14.
That will be a shock to the system for the co-hosts' batsmen, who have feasted on some relatively tame seam bowling in opening a 4-1 series lead.
Anderson says Malinga's speed and unusual slinging action will take some adjustment, something he had learned this year in the nets with Indian Premier League team the Mumbai Indians, where they were teammates.
"He's got a different action, it's maybe something I can talk to the guys about," he said.
"Once you've faced a couple of balls, you feel like you're into it."
Malinga's destructive bowling has helped guide Sri Lanka to the last two World Cup finals.
His 31 wickets from 15 tournament games is the 15th most by any bowler. None of the 14 bowlers in front of him can better his average of 17.87.
"He's a massive part of their side," Anderson said.
"He's quality at the death, which maybe they've lacked a little bit. That's something we'll have to deal with when it comes along."
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