- Notes will serve nation’s cause diligently
- Observes positive vibes within the squad
Top-order batter Kamindu Mendis says that being stripped of the vice-captaincy ahead of Sri Lanka’s white-ball cricket tour of England will not put any dampener on his game, but insisted that he will gamely continue to serve his country’s cause.
He made this comment following religious observances held at Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), and moments before boarding the team bus to head to the BIA Katunayake, to commence his team’s first bilateral white-ball tour of England in five years, on Saturday (5).
“I honestly think that is a question you need to pose to the selectors and not me,” the left-handed batter, who is set to turn 28 later this month, told reporters.
“However, one thing that I will be able to guarantee to the spectators and my team, is that whether I am entrusted with additional responsibility or not, I will continue to serve my country to the best of my ability.”
Sri Lanka are due to face England in a three-match T20I series commencing from 15 September, after which the two teams will play out a One-Day-International series consisting of a similar number of matches from 22 September.
Mendis, who was made deputy captain to regular white-ball skipper to namesake Kusal Mendis, by the new selection panel in the lead up to Sri Lanka’s all-format tour of the West Indies June-July, was deposed in favour of former captain Charith Asalanka, for the upcoming tour of England.
The same Kapila Wijegunawardena-led panel which had passed over Charith Asalanka for the reins of the short-format squads ahead of the series in the Caribbean, has now been forced to fall back on the latter, in an ironic twist in lieu of the continued injury-enforced absence of Kusal Mendis.
The selectors have still not divulged the reasons which had prompted them to remove Kamindu Mendis from the vice captaincy in the first place, while retaining him in both the white-ball squads.
Mendis described the short-format squads picked for the tour of England as ‘balanced and experienced’, and stated that most of those who had represented the country during their previous tour of the UK, were still a part of the current outfit as well.
The batter added that an opportunity has been afforded to youngsters to stake a permanent place in the white-ball team in the injury-enforced absence of regular captain Kusal Mendis and pace bowler Binura Fernando, respectively.
He further remarked that they were flying out somewhat early to get acclimatised to the conditions in England and opined that they had undertaken a similar task ahead of their previous red-ball cricket tour there two years ago.
Asked of his team’s chances in the impending series, Kamindu who has won 46 T20I and 29 ODI caps, observed that they were heading to England in a positive frame of mind.
The ambidextrous cricketer who can deliver both right-arm off breaks as well as slow left-arm orthodox, stressed that they will go flat out to win both the T20I and One-Day International series by playing what he termed as ‘fearless cricket’.
He also pointed to the team’s showing in recent ODIs and T20Is and insisted that they will be able to draw from those performances against England.
The Lankans are currently ranked sixth and ninth in the latest ICC Men’s ODI and T20I Team Rankings, respectively.
“We are currently in a good frame of mind after drawing the second and final Test against India,” he said referring to Sri Lanka’s back-to-the-wall fightback to force a draw against severe odds, after being asked to follow on, on day five of the SSC Test in August albeit losing the series 1-0.
“I think that positive energy and vibe is evident in the white-ball squad as well and we will play a brand of fearless cricket. This forthcoming series will be crucial for us to prepare for the rest of the bilateral series that are lined up towards later this year.”
Sri Lanka left for the tour to England without skipper Kusal Mendis and strapping fast bowler Binura Fernando, after they were sidelined due to injury albeit being originally named to feature in the series by the selectors.
It was however unclear as to whether the duo would recover from their respective injuries in time to feature in the subsequent One-Day International series against England.
The selectors have replaced Mendis with batter Pavan Rathnayake, while Fernando’s spot has been taken over by Dilshan Madushanka.
The tour to England by Sri Lanka is to be followed soon after by a tour to Pakistan, where they are scheduled to meet their hosts in a three-match T20I series and a two-match Test series, after which they are to be joined by England in a One-Day-International tri-series.