We are in this position due to the big first innings lead – Kamindu

Kamindu Mendis

Sri Lanka’s middle-order batsman Kamindu Mendis said that his team was in a good position to win the second Test against Bangladesh at the SSC grounds due to the big first innings lead they were able to build.

In the first Test at Galle, Sri Lanka after being in a good position to take a first innings lead failed to do so, but here at the SSC they have rectified that shortcoming and built a lead of 211 and then gone onto capture six Bangladesh second innings wickets for 115 runs. 

“I think the pitch had an impact. It spun more today than yesterday. The last session if you see, the ball started to turn. Both ends you get a turn as of now. The game is in our hands and we will try and bowl them out for a low total,” said Mendis.

After suffering four Test defeats in a row to South Africa and Australia and drawing the first Test against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka are in a good position to end that winless trend.

“We have done well in Test cricket in the recent two or three years. We play to win. It’s a big process that has been going on for three years or so. Wins and defeats are common to every team but we try to make the most out of situations,” said Mendis. Questioned about his batting approach Mendis said, “When I go out to bat, I want to play positively. That’s the approach every player in our team takes. Kusal Mendis and I wanted to bat positively and get a decent lead. I hope we were able to do that.”

Talking of the dismissals of Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis, Kamindu said: “In cricket a batter needs to go through all these situations. He scores 80s and 90s and even 30s and 40s. Every batter tries to score a hundred and win the game. Kusal was very unfortunate to be run out. So was Chandi. That’s part of the game.”

Both batsmen missed out on their centuries – Kusal getting run out at 84 and Chandimal being dismissed on the reverse sweep for 93.

However, it was Pathum Nissanka’s knock of 158 that set the stage for Sri Lanka’s big first innings total. “It’s an absolute treat to watch Pathum when he is on song. We have batted together from small days. We all know what Pathum is capable of. He can win you matches easily. He is one of my favourite batters in the game. Pathum is a high-quality batter and one of the best we have.”

Bangladesh’s left-arm spinner Taijul Islam who bowled well at Galle as well as here at the SSC and took 5/131 yesterday said that it was nothing exceptional. “I just maintain the process and the seam position. Try and understand the wicket and how it behaves and bowl according to that.”

Explaining why Bangladesh are in the present position they are in at the end of day three, Taijul said, “No specific reason but as a unit we couldn’t perform well whether it is bowling or batting. We should have played better cricket.”

It was Taijul who got centurion Pathum Nissanka’s wicket early in the day when the batsman resumed at 146 but was able to add only 12 to his overnight score.

“Pathum’s was a very important wicket for Bangladesh because he is in great touch. He scored in the last Test as well, so it was important to get his wicket early, otherwise Sri Lanka could have got a bigger lead.”

Taijul is only 10 wickets away from surpassing Shakib Al Hasan and becoming Bangladesh’s leading Test wicket-taker. He is currently sitting on 237 wickets from 55 Tests. Shakib has 246 from 71 Tests.

“Every cricketer has specific goals but I think the amount of matches I will play from now on I will serve the country. I have no specific goals.” – [ST]