Has Kusal Mendis turned the corner?

 Kusal Mendis is a free-scoring batsman very attractive to watch when in full flow

Only now I am reaping the results of playing in the national team - Mendis

In the past two years or so Kusal Mendis has been stringing together a number of half-centuries for Sri Lanka in all three formats – ODIs, T20Is and Tests without ever making it to three-figures. The last hundred to come off his bat was in February 2020 when he scored a run-a-ball 119 against West Indies in an ODI played at Hambantota, and a month prior to that an unbeaten 116 against Zimbabwe in a Test match played at Harare.

So there was much joy for Mendis when he finally broke the shackles to score a delightful 140 in the first Test against Ireland at the Galle Cricket Stadium and with his captain Dimuth Karunaratne (179), put together a partnership of 281 for second wicket which was the centrepiece of Sri Lanka’s massive total of 591-6 declared.

“In the past two years I have been in the forefront in all three formats which is what the team expects of me. I have played eight years for the national team and because of that I am now able to score runs at a consistent level,” said Mendis. “You cannot start performing consistently as you get into the national side, it will take some time to establish yourself whether you are a bowler or a batsman. I think it is only now that I am reaping the results of playing for the national team for the past eight years.”

With the Sri Lanka domestic structure not as strong as other top cricketing nations, players who make it to the national team find it hard to perform at a consistent level immediately. Like Mendis, they take some time to establish themselves in the national side. This has been the case of many players coming through the system.

When Mendis scored a series deciding innings of 176 against Australia at Pallekele in 2016 playing in only his seventh Test, there were high expectations that he had arrived. But Mendis could not keep up to the high standards and what followed was a string of low scores before he produced another big knock of 194 against Bangladesh at Galle in 2017. The centuries were few and far between and in the eight years he has been with the national Test side what Mendis can show is only eight centuries, which is a far reflection of the high quality batsman he is.

“I have been scoring only fifties for the team. There have been occasions when the team expected a hundred from me. On this occasion I was able to deliver. I am personally happy with my achievement that I got a hundred after some time. I think it’s a good innings for me and for my form considering that it was a good wicket,” said Mendis.

Although the Ireland bowling was not the same as compared to what they faced in New Zealand, nevertheless the hot and humid conditions in Galle took a lot out of the players whether batting or bowling.

“After returning from New Zealand about seven days ago, it was hotter than in previous Tests we played in Galle. The temperature was hotter and it was difficult for bowlers to bowl lengthy spells and for batsmen to play a long innings,” said Mendis, a free-scoring batsman who is very attractive to watch when in full flow.  

“In New Zealand the conditions were different, the ball length and pace were different. Returning to Sri Lanka we did not need too much practice. We knew if we practiced for a day or two we could get into our rhythm. Also, you cannot compare the bowling of Ireland to New Zealand, but still they have a few good bowlers. They have a different plan to New Zealand. They don’t attack so much to get a wicket, but try to contain us by bowling a consistent line and length.”

Mendis said only the start to his innings was different compared to red ball and white ball (ODI) cricket.  

“I take a little bit of time and my attacking options are less at the beginning. That is the only difference in my batting. The new ball can seam and swing but once I get the start I normally play like in a one-day game, but cannot play like a T20. I look for singles all the time. I think in Test cricket today you don’t see too many dot balls because everyone is going for a win. As a team we always look for gaps to score runs, because of that Test cricket is played today more like in the one-day format. You look for a boundary off the loose balls. I don’t see any difference in my approach apart from the start in Test cricket.”