Mendis shines, the rest flop

Entrusted with the captaincy, Kusal Mendis brought the best out of his game posting a stunning 158 before retiring hurt in Sri Lanka’s second warm-up game against Afghanistan at Guwahati yesterday but the rest of the batting failed to click.

While Mendis put up a superb show smashing the Afghan bowling to all corners of the park, there was little support for the stand-in captain as Sri Lanak were shot out for 294 in 46.2 overs.

Sri Lanka had failed to utilize the full 50 overs in their previous warm-up game against Bangladesh as well. This has been a trend for Sri Lanka in recent months and lead up to their first game of the tournament on Saturday against South Africa in Delhi, there are concerns for the former champions.

Sadeera Samarawickrama, who shared a 175 run stand for the third wicket with Mendis, was the second top scorer with 39 runs. Samarawickrama, an equally attacking batsman, was made to look a mere spectator during the partnership as Mendis cut loose.

While several other top and middle order batters got starts, nobody went onto get a half-century and help Sri Lanka’s total beyond 300.

Totals in excess of 300 have been a common feature in World Cup warm-up games as the wickets have been belters and unless Sri Lanka address the issue, they are bound to face some serious problems.

Mendis hitting a purple patch though was a welcome sign ahead of the sport’s showpiece event. His 158 came off just 87 balls with 19 fours and nine sixes. He retired in a bid to let other batters get a hit in the middle ahead of the business end of the tournament but that was for little use.

Batting number three, Mendis reached his century in just 59 balls and the manner in which he took on opposition’s star leg-spinner Rashid Khan was a treat to watch.

Opener Dimuth Karunaratne was the only batter to be dismissed for a single digit score and when Kusal Perera returns what Sri Lanka will do with the combination of the team remains to be seen.

KJP had retired with a right shoulder pain in Sri Lanka’s first warm-up game and SLC said that he was receiving treatment and in the process of recovery.

Captain Dasun Shanaka had to pull out as he was experiencing a strain on his left elbow.