Mendis shooting for top ten

Sri Lanka batsman Kusal Mendis has voiced his goal to break into the top ten batsmen in the world and raise his average into the 40s.
Mendis credited his coaches for his return to form highlighting their support as a major factor in his ability to bounce back from a poor Southern African safari.
The diminutive right-hander struggled in Zimbabwe and South Africa and saw his average dip out of the 40s but has gone a long way towards pushing that back up after he hit an unbeaten 166 on day one of the first Test against Bangladesh.
Mendis told a press conference after the first day’s play: “When I played Australia at home, I had an average of about 42, but then it deteriorated little by little.
“People told me it’s hard to push it back above 30 if it goes below that. After I failed in South Africa, I wanted to get it back above 35, and you need a big innings to do that.
“People told me that when you get set, make sure you hit a big innings. I want to be among the best ten batsmen in the world, and to get my average to 40 or 45 eventually.”
The 22-year-old has made some technical adjustments to his batting but feels the support of his coaches is one of the big reasons behind his success.
He added: “I practised hard after Zimbabwe and South Africa.
“The coaches, senior players and captains all told me that I can handle this level – they didn’t put much pressure on me despite my failures.
“I corrected my backlift a bit after watching previous videos, but there weren’t any major changes. Those little things I tried to change.
“I must have played a bad shot to get out first ball, but I was keen to stay there for the team after that.”
Mendis felt the Galle track for this Test was the flattest he has seen and was a big change from the wicket presented for the game against Australia.
He said: “Last year when we played Australia here, the ball really turned. This time it’s easier for the batsmen, and it won’t be a big difference tomorrow – maybe late in the day the ball will spin a bit more.
“The wicket does seem hard though, so it’s hard to predict what will happen.”
Latest
-
News
Paul Farbrace: Che Simmons may play for England after signing Warwickshire deal
The 18-year-old has signed a three-year contract.
-
News
Paul Collingwood ‘desperate to help out’ new England coaches, says Rob Key
Australia’s Matthew Mott has been appointed to lead the white-ball team, with Brendon McCullum the new man in charge of the Test side.
-
News
Matt Parkinson out of England squad with Harry Brook and Matthew Potts included
James Anderson and Stuart Broad are back.
-
News
Matthew Mott takes control of England’s white-ball teams – who is the new coach?
The 48-year-old Australian is England’s new limited-overs head coach.
-
News
Australian Matthew Mott named head coach of England men’s white-ball teams
Mott has signed a four-year agreement, having edged out Paul Collingwood for the role.
-
News
Harry Brook and Matthew Potts included in England Test squad
James Anderson and Stuart Broad also return.
-
News
Henry Nicholls thinks Brendon McCullum is an “inspiring” appointment by England
McCullum was appointed England Test head coach last week.
-
News
‘Huge respect between two of us so no animosity’ – James Anderson on Joe Root
Anderson and Stuart Broad are set for England recalls on Wednesday, a couple of months after being jettisoned for the West Indies tour.
-
News
Tom Harrison stepping down as chief executive of the ECB
Managing director of women’s cricket Clare Connor will take over on an interim basis in June.
-
News
Tom Harrison steps down as ECB chief executive
Harrison has been in the post for the last seven years.