Ajantha Mendis: Can this mystery ever be solved?

[Migara]

I think I can now categorically say that Mendis is completely finished.

I think you have spoken too soon. He'll be a good bowler, but nothing close to the bang he created. If he develops his off break, he canl still be the world's best spinner in coming years, overtaking Harbhajan and Mishra.

 

[Cruxdude]

The reason why Mishra is not hyped much is that for him to play till now it has had to be a home test. Abroad he is the 2nd spinner and rarely plays and I don't see him playing many ODIs ahead of Bhajji. With the number of tests India is playing now, no wonder no one remembers him.

 

[SJS]

Now that Mendis has been 'sorted out' aren't we supposed to see some more mystery balls emanating from his stockpile of WMD's

 

[Naumaan]

Mendis's figures in the warm up match against Pakistan:

Bowler O M R W Econ
BAW Mendis 7 0 54 0 7.71

He's going down day by day

 

[Furball]

Mendis's figures in the warm up match against Pakistan:

Bowler O M R W Econ
BAW Mendis 7 0 54 0 7.71

He's going down day by day

That doesn't prove anything, as a collective unit Pakistan are the only side thus far in Mendis' career to have dealt with him comfortably.

England and South Africa, 2 of Sri Lanka's CT group opponents, have yet to face him in ODIs, given England's inept batting lineup I wouldn't be at all suprised to see Mendis take 3 or 4 wickets for **** all in their game.

 

[Uppercut]

Indeed. Right in the middle of Mendis's "decline" is the World Twenty20 when he was beyond incredible in every match except the one against Pakistan.

It's somewhat odd that they find him so easy to play whereas Paul Harris is some kind of god.

 

[PhoenixFire]

Paul Harris being one of the most unthreatening bowlers I have ever seen bowl at Test level.

 

[Uppercut]

I think you're falling into the trap of rating a player on his last performance against your team. Harris was completely inert on tours of India and England because he mysteriously completely forgot how to spin the ball at all. Either side of that, he's actually been a pretty good left-arm tweaker.

But it's odd that he troubles Pakistan so. Herath too. Even the English domestic scene handled Herath with ease.

 

[Uppercut]

Needn't have worried for him it seems.