Bloom where you are planted

by Rex Clementine

In sports and life, it’s all about grabbing the opportunities from both hands. Often, we tend to cry over spilled milk and turn a blind eye when new opportunities or ventures open up. Kamindu Mendis is a great example of making most of his chances.

The left-handed batter from Richmond College, Galle was given a raw deal as he was sidelined after making a half-century on debut against Australia. He was in the sidelines for two years not able to break into the senior side. Not that our batters have been covering themselves in glory. Customers at Kandos outlets have spent more time than some of our batters have at the crease in the last two years.

There was a time when Sanath Jayasuriya used to score big hundreds representing Board President’s XI when international teams toured Sri Lanka but failed to break into the senior side. Kamindu was suffering a similar fate.

Kamindu bats at number three in domestic cricket, but in Test match cricket the only spot that was open for him was number seven. He didn’t complain. He let the bat do the talking making hundreds in each innings in his comeback game. On both occasions, the side was in a spot of bother and he was involved in rescue acts.

Then in the second Test, he made an unbeaten 92 and nine and into the bargain there were three wickets. The commentators call him partnership breaker, but he certainly is more than that when it comes to bowling. It is true his bowling has suffered in recent years due to his extraordinary success with the bat in domestic cricket. But if the selectors are looking at a possible all format player who is reliable with the bat, handy with the ball and a gun fielder, – Kamindu Mendis is their answer.

Last month was prolific for Kamindu. He was named Player of the Month by the ICC becoming only the third Sri Lankan to achieve the status with others being Prabath Jayasuriya and Wanindu Hasaranga.

This number seven position isn’t an easy one as the occupants of that role often find themselves battling with the tail. Kamindu has already given a good account of himself farming the strike from nine, ten and Jack.

There has been a school of thought that he should move up the order to number three in Test match cricket as well. Fair point. But let him entertain us from seven for a while. To quote Rev. Fr. Bernard Quintus OMI, ‘bloom where you are planted.’