Sangakkara praises Mendis

Chris Dhambarage

Vice captain Kumar Sangakkara showered praises on Sri Lanka’s mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis who established a new World record on day three of the third and deciding test match against the touring Indian team at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium yesterday.

Mendis overtook England fast bowler Alec Bedser’s record for the most number of wickets in a debut three test series also against India way back in 1945. The right arm spinner has now captured 25 wickets which is also a Sri Lankan record for the most number of wickets in a three test series against India .

The previous record was held by Muttiah Muralitharan who had claimed 23 wickets during the home series in 2001. The all time record for Sri Lanka in a three test series is also held by Muralitharan who captured a total of 30 wickets in the home series against Zimbabwe in 2002.

Sangakkara said that this was an outstanding effort from the young spinner although the entire team had performed really well in their attempt to win the match and the series as well. Sri Lanka won the opening test by an innings and India took the second test by 170 runs at the Galle International Stadium.

“I think it is a phenomenal achievement and a fantastic effort to do well for his side in his debut series. He came in at a time when Muralitharan needed support and he has rose to the occasion really well.

We have been looking for a supportive bowler for Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas and Dilhara Fernando for a long period. Mendis has come a lone way and has played beyond our expectations”.

Sangakkara said that it is important for Mendis to maintain his consistency despite the amount of pressure and the challenges he will be up against in the coming years. “The important thing for him is to keep learning.

The longer period you play the harder it will be to pick up wickets because the opposition could get use to the type of bowling. The challenge is to get better everyday”.

Sangakkara believed that Mendis should be guided and nurtured in the proper manner because he has a bright future ahead of him.

“He has got a great bunch of senior bowlers around him so that he could talk to them all the time. It does not matter you talk to fast bowlers or spinners the art of bowling is very much the same. The intelligence and the character he has shown have been excellent and as the years go by he is certain to get better and better”.