The art of spin bowling has fascinated millions of cricket lovers all throughout
the world for many a year. The 90's saw the focus shift from pace bowling to
spin bowling in international cricket as the likes of Anil Kumble, Shane
Warne, Saqlain Mustaq and Muttiah Muralitharan engineered a revival
in spin bowling the world over. However, with most of these spin wizards approaching
the end of their long cherished carriers, international spin bowling has found
a new superstar to carry on the torch and establish a new breed of traditional
spin rippers all throughout the world.
As India would testify, Ajantha Mendis is a totally unique breed in
comparison to the current bunch of spinners operating in world cricket The young
23 year old Sri Lankan army spinner us a leg spinner by trade, but it
is his huge repertoire of off spinners, top spinners, googlies, leg breaks and
flippers that make him the hottest property around in international cricket.
It is strange , rather bemusing that the spinner was a rather unknown property
in world cricket up until his Asia Cup exploits where he ripped apart
the very best batting line up's. Although Mendis made his debut against the
West Indies in April, his Asia Cup exploits took the world by storm and
his haul of 17 wickets at an astounding average of 8.52 in extremely batting
friendly tracks in Pakistan meant that Sri Lanka finally have found a more than
able ally for Muttiah Muralitharan.
Mendis owes a lot of his progress to his current domestic employers the Sri
Lankan national army. Mendis was short listed for the Army domestic team and
although, the Army team was rather forlorn and unfancied at that point of time,
the scope of immediate success and financial stability after his father's unfortunate
demise though heart attack meant that this was an opportunity that the youngster
could not afford to let rip by. In just six odd full test matches for the Army,
Mendis ripped through opposition sides left and right taking an astounding 46
wickets in just six matches for the side in test cricket. His recent exploits
in the Asia Cup saw him secure a double promotion in the Army moving from Gunner
to Second Lieutenant.
Mendis's biggest hour of glory would have the Asia Cup final against India
in the dust bowls of Karachi. Chasing 273, India were off to a flyer
and a victory looked to be a certainty for the Indian national cricket team.
However, Mendis had different thoughts as a majestic spell of spin bowling saw
India slip from 76/1 to 90/5 in absolutely no time. Unlike many other
batting collapses, this was not triggered by a poor shot selection but by some
exceptional spin bowling which ripped the Indian batting line up into two. With
the upcoming India-Sri Lanka test series coming up in short notice, cricket
lovers all over the world following the game through live cricket scores and
live cricket streams online will be anxious to see Ajantha Mendis continue his
progress and do justice to his tag of the heir of international spin crown.
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