For the two-match Test series against New Zealand that begins in Galle today, Sri Lanka has elevated Kamindu Mendis to the number-five spot in the batting order in recognition of his contributions to Test match cricket. In this cycle of the World Test Championship, where Sri Lanka has six more Test matches remaining and likely one more berth for the following cycle, Kamindu is predicted to bat at number five.
With just six Test matches under his belt, the prolific left-handed hitter has amassed three hundreds and four half-centuries in just 10 innings. Throughout the most recent Test series against England, the 25-year-old was named Player of the Series. He is getting close to breaking Roy Dias’ long-standing record for the quickest Sri Lankan to 1000 Test runs, with 695 runs to his name. Dias took 23 innings to attain the milestone.
Kamindu needed to be moved up the list, in our opinion. He has produced a lot of work for us this year. It’s not easy to go your first trip to England and come home with a Player of the Series trophy. The head coach of Sri Lanka, Sanath Jayasuriya, told reporters, “We felt that he should be promoted up the order and hopefully he will do better. Too often he is batting with the tail.”
“Kamindu rises to the number five.”
Dinesh Chandimal is giving way to Kamindu, who is now ranked number five, as the new number three in Sri Lanka. Kusal Mendis, who will now drop to number seven, will take over as the wicketkeeper.
Sri Lanka has revealed that they would make two changes to the team that won the third Test at The Oval last week. Ramesh Mendis, an off-spinner, and Prabath Jayasuriya, a left-arm spinner, will replace seamers Vishwa Fernando and Milan Ratnayake.
“Our seamen performed admirably in England. Leaving out Milan Ratnayake, who bowled really effectively and also made a contribution with the bat, is a difficult decision. However, we must match horses to courses. We need to have our spin bowling options because Galle will spin, Jayasuriya continued.
In the World Test Championship, New Zealand is ranked third, just after Australia and India, and Sri Lanka is ranked fifth.
With eight Test matches scheduled between now and December, New Zealand will have a busy schedule. In addition to the two Tests held in Galle, New Zealand will host England for three more Tests after playing three Tests in India.
We haven’t participated in a Test since March of this year. But over the next three months, there are a lot of games coming up. Future strategy should be on accumulating as many World Test Championship points as possible, New Zealand captain Tim Southee said media in Galle.
For the Kiwis, Kane Williamson is essential. In Test match cricket, the past captain is New Zealand’s all-time leading run scorer. Against Sri Lanka, Williamson, the second-best batsman in the world, averages 78, far higher than his career average of 54.
“Kane is an extremely important element of our team, and his knowledge is invaluable. He is a superb hitter against any opponent, not only with Sri Lanka, Southee continued.Since 2009, New Zealand has not lost a Test series against Sri Lanka. After that, these sides faced off in six series, with New Zealand coming out on top four times and tying twice.
Teams:
Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), Kusal Mendis (wkt), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando.
New Zealand: Tim Southee (capt), Tom Blundell (wkt), Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Kane Williamson, Will Young.
