Sports
Mendis finally comes good after years of false dawns
In a country where schoolboy cricket is a religion and teenage prodigies are thrust into the limelight before they’ve even sprouted a stubble, Sri Lanka’s conveyor belt of talent has never run dry. From Anura Tennekoon to Arjuna Ranatunga and more recently Mahela Jayawardene, the island has always had a knack for spotting its next big thing before the ink dried on their GCE O/Level results.
Kusal Mendis, cut from that same cloth, was earmarked for greatness long before he left the gates of Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa. Elegant against pace, wristy against spin and composed on treacherous wickets, Mendis had all the hallmarks of a future batting colossus.
Such was the faith in his ability that he was fast-tracked into the Test side with barely a handful of First-Class appearances to his name. The move paid rich dividends when, in 2016, Mendis played a starring role in Sri Lanka’s historic 3-0 whitewash of Australia — a feat that still raises eyebrows for this was against Starc and Hazelwood.
But as is often the case in Sri Lankan cricket, the brightest stars sometimes burn out the quickest. What followed was a rollercoaster ride — moments of brilliance drowned in an ocean of inconsistency.
There were glimmers — like the blinder in Port Elizabeth that laid the groundwork for Sri Lanka’s Test series win on South African soil — but they were too few and far between. Twice he was dismissed in the 190s, both times caught on the fence attempting to clear it for a six like Aravinda de Silva. The flair was evident, but so too was the impetuosity.
Off the field, Mendis did himself no favours either. A disciplinary breach saw him cop a one-year ban, later reduced on appeal. But public sentiment had turned. The boy wonder had become a lightning rod for criticism and many felt his time was up.
To their credit, the selectors held their nerve. Where others had been shown the door, Mendis was given the long rope. Six centuries after 146 ODIs would have been curtains for most. But there was always the sense that Mendis was a rare gem — flawed, yes, but one that could yet be polished.
Since 2024, the tide has turned.
Much of the credit for Sri Lanka’s historic Test win in England last year went to Pathum Nissanka, but the real graft — seeing off the new ball under cloudy skies — was done by Mendis. It was a knock that didn’t catch headlines but laid the foundation.
Back home, a new role awaited him. The selectors handed him the gloves in Tests and a floating role in the batting order across formats. Far from buckling under the dual burden, Mendis has flourished.
His 84 at the SSC a fortnight ago, batting with the tail, was a clinic in composure before a freak run-out cut him short. Then came the blitz at RPS — a 20-ball half-century, the fastest at the ground — only for him to throw it away, triggering a collapse that allowed Bangladesh to level the series.
But at Pallekele, with the series on the line, Mendis delivered a masterclass. His hundred not only anchored the innings but also set up a memorable win, reminding everyone why he was once touted as the heir to Kumar Sangakkara’s batting throne
Then in the first T-20I, alongside Nissanka, he bludgeoned 50 off just 19 balls, setting the tone for a record Power Play — 83 runs in six overs, Sri Lanka’s highest ever in the format.
Across formats, in the space of a fortnight, Mendis has come up with match-winning performances — a purple patch that has propelled him into the ICC’s top ten ODI batters.For nearly a decade, Kusal Mendis was the poster boy of unfulfilled promise. If the first ten years were a tease, the next five could well be the payoff Sri Lanka waited far too long for.
Rex Clementine in Dambulla ✍️
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Tamim Iqbal elected new BCB president
Tamim Iqbal has been elected as the new BCB president following the elections held in Dhaka on Sunday. Tamim was the only candidate, and he will serve a four-year term in total, having already completed two months as the ad-hoc committee’s head.
The Bangladesh government called for BCB elections under the interim body in April, following the dissolution of the previous elected body under Aminul Islam.
The day-long election, including physical votes and e-ballots, were held at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, which is also the board headquarters. A total of 23 directors were elected in three categories and two government representatives were announced later to form the 25-member body.
Tamim is one of the most prominent cricketers to have played for Bangladesh, having appeared in 391 internationals across three formats. He led Bangladesh to 21 wins in 38 matches across formats, including the 2-1 ODI series against South Africa in 2022. After his international retirement in early 2025, Tamim continued to play domestic tournaments but a heart attack during a Dhaka Premier League match that year put an abrupt end to his playing career.
The election commission said 88 votes were cast to elect 23 directors in two out of the three categories. The first category includes all the divisions and districts of the country, the second is the Dhaka clubs that participate in the league system, while the third consists of former cricketers, captains, education boards and others. Tamim was one of twelve directors elected from the second category.
The new 25-member body held an election among themselves to choose the president and two vice-presidents. After Tamim was elected as board president, Fahim Sinha was elected as one of the two vice-presidents. The other vice-president hasn’t been selected.
The previous board elections were held on October 6 last year. Aminul was re-elected BCB president under controversial circumstqnces when Tamim, leading one of the panels, withdrew from the polls alleging Aminul of “bias and malpractice”.
Category 1 directors: Sayeed Bin Zaman, Abdullah Al Fuad, Minhajul Abedin, Moyeen Uddin Chowdhury, Shantanu Islam, Shafiqul Alam, Mizanur Rahman, Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury, Shakrul Alam, Faisal Amin
Category 2 directors: Tamim Iqbal, Fahim Sinha, Asif Rabbani, Israfil Khasru, Dr Sarkar Mahbub Ahmed, Masuduzzaman, Rafiqul Islam, Sakeef Ahmed, Shanian Taneem, Syed Ibrahim Ahmed, Yasir Abbas, Yasir Faisal
Category 3 director: Sirajuddin Alamgir.
Government representative directors: Ruhul Amin, Sarfaraz Ahmed
[Cricinfo]
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West Indies look to level series in rainy Kingston
With no play possible in the second ODI, both teams go into the third game well-rested. Perhaps this is a chance for the IPL returnees in particular to have caught their breath. The rain, though, may not have cleared in Kingston completely. According to the forecast, showers are likely in the afternoon and also possible in the evening, though there may be dry spells in between. There is a chance this will be a stop-start match in which DLS calculations come into play.
With a series win now beyond them, West Indies will be especially motivated to avoid being blanked at home. There is also the matter of their current 10th-placed ranking, which is not enough for them to gain automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup (cut-off is end of March next year). They need every ranking point they can get over the next two months. Sri Lanka are slightly more comfortable, at sixth position, and about 12 points clear of the current cut-off. But they’ll want to build more of a cushion themselves.
In the first ODI, Sri Lanka’s dominance in the middle overs is what had won them the match. Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga were economical on a helpful surface, where West Indies’ frontline spinner Gudakesh Motie had been hit out of the attack. And Sri Lanka’s top six also showed serious hustle, picking up the tempo and keeping the runs flowing after Sri Lanka had had a poor powerplay with the bat.
These remain two relatively evenly-matched teams, however. With a little more discipline from their bowlers, West Indies are capable of leveling the series.
Although his Test average remains outstanding, Kamindu Mendis is yet to find a home in limited-overs cricket. Partly this is because his batting is so versatile, coaches and selectors have tended to yank him up and down the order as the team’s needs evolve. So far in ODIs, he has done his best work at No. 7 and 8, but he has now been asked to open the innings alongside Pathum Nissanka. His first innings at the top of the order brought only 12, but Sri Lanka are unlikely to ditch the strategy after one game. Can batting in the powerplay be the change he needs to kick his white ball career into high gear?
Over a fledgling international career, Keacy Carty has demonstrated promise at No. 3, where he averages 45.18. What he doesn’t have, so far, however, is the kind of body of work a long-term No. 3 should ideally built. So far, he has two tons apiece against England and Ireland, but is yet to put up serious numbers against other oppositions. Runs against an attack of Sri Lanka’s quality would add to his confidence.
Rain will potentially dictate conditions on Monday. If there’s rain around, teams tend to prefer to chase. Not only do they prefer to be batting while DLS calculations are in play, but a wetter ball is also more difficult for bowlers to grip, particularly spinners.
West Indies may think about bringing Shimron Hetmyer into the XI to shake up the batting a little.
West Indies (possible): John Campbell, Justin Greaves, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope (capt.)(wk), Shimron Hetmyer/Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales
Sri Lanka may keep their winning XI, but with so many quicks to choose from, may be tempted to give Eshan Malinga a run, especially if it’s a shortened match.
Sri Lanka (possible): Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis (capt.)(wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Milan Rathnayake, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando/Eshan Malinga
[Cricinfo]
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Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up: Kapp, Wolvaardt take SA past Ireland
South Africa successfully defended 136 in an 18-over game against Ireland in the Women’s T20 World Cup warm-up fixture in Loughborough . The experienced Marizanne Kapp led the way with the ball, her 4 for 24 helping South Africa dismiss Ireland for 120 in 17.4 overs. Shabnim Ismail, who had recently reversed her retirement, picked up 1 for 25 in her four overs.
Leah Paul was the only Ireland batter to pass 20 in their chase. Apart from Paul, only four Ireland batters got to double figures.
After South Africa were asked to bat first, they posted 136 for 8 on the back of captain Laura Wolvaardt’s 65 off 37 balls, including seven fours and three sixes.
SCORES:
South Africa Women 136 for 8 in 18 overs (Sune Luus 17, Laura Wolvaardt 65, Annerie Dercksen 26, Nadine de Klerk 11, Aimee Maguire 1-13, Arlene Kelly 3-29, Cara Murray 2-13, Ava Canning 2-08) beat Ireland Women 120 in 17.4 overs (Rebecca Stockel 19, Leah Paul 29, Alice Tector 17, Louise Little 13, Arlene Kelly 15; Marizanne Kapp 4-24, Shabnim Ismail 1-25, Tumi Sekhukhune 2-18, Nadine de Klerk 1-16, Nonkululeko Mlaba 1-25) by 16 runs
(Crickinfo)
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