Mendis a cameo 74*, Tharanga 53*, after Sandaken strikes
Sri Lanka knocked the daylights out of Scotland in the second practice match romping to a handsome 9-wicket triumph at the Kent County Cricket Grounds on Tuesday to put things in perspective by atoning for their bad defeat to Scotland in the previous game 2 days ago.
It was an ideally blending all-round performance that set the tone in the Sri Lankan camp in a much required morale boost. After china man Lakshan Sandaken had put the screws on the Scotland frontline batting as they slipped to 77 for 7 before recovering to 166 all out in 42.1 overs, Sri Lanka lost no time making light of their target reaching 170 for the loss of Niroshan Dickwella for 29 in 22.5 overs. Nuwan Kulasekera who claimed 2 for 23, with co-spinner Seekuge Prasanna chipping in with 2 for 28 to tighten the screws on Scotland.
While co-opener Upul Tharanga played a consolidating unbeaten 53, Kusal Mendis hogged the limelight in a quick fire 51-ball unbeaten 74. It was a welcome tuning up for the 22-year old star who has won the faith of the Sri Lankan cricket establishment in sealing the pivotal No.3 slot in a crucial new generation transition of the island nation’s cricket.
Interestingly, Mendis, in a chat with this columnist on the eve of the tam’s departure, said that he had worked on strengthening technical areas in his batting that opposition bowlers had worked on, and looked forward to the big stage challenge. Sri Lanka launches its Champions Trophy campaign in what on paper would be a tough game against South Africa on June 3 at the Kensington Oval.
By Srian Obeyesekere
-The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Sri Lanka Cricket-