Sri Lanka will be different proposition in ODIs, says Jeewan
Jeewan Mendis says Sri Lanka are a different proposition when it comes to shorter version of the game. (Files)
Sri Lanka all-rounder Jeewan Mendis warned Australia that his team will be a completely different proposition when it comes to the shorter formats of the game although they were thrashed 3-0 in the three-match Test series between the countries. Sri Lanka lost all three Tests in Hobart, Melbourne and Sydney with the second Test at MCG ending inside three days, a massive innings and 201-run defeat.
Sri Lanka all-rounder Jeewan Mendis warned Australia that his team will be a completely different proposition when it comes to the shorter formats of the game although they were thrashed 3-0 in the three-match Test series between the countries. Sri Lanka lost all three Tests in Hobart, Melbourne and Sydney with the second Test at MCG ending inside three days, a massive innings and 201-run defeat.
The first of five ODIs starts at MCG on Friday. Sri Lanka have an excellent ODI record at MCG in recent times having won their last three matches at Australia’s sporting capital.
"We have a good one day team, with Malinga coming in and some other guys from Sri Lanka. Compared to the Test match side, we have a good one-day team. There’s a better chance of doing well as we have players who can bring in variation like Malinga, Akhila Dananjaya, Nuwan Kulasekara and opener Upul Tharanga. Those guys have been playing a lot of one-day cricket. So hopefully we can do well."
The last bilateral series between the countries in Australia saw Sri Lanka winning 2-1 and Mendis said the tourists will gain inspiration from that win.
"It was a great series to beat Australia here in 2010. It gives us confidence going into the ODIs. With the number of players we have that can both bat and bowl, we can do something good. We are good enough to win again. We need to forget about the Tests and focus on the ODIs and Twenty20s."
Mendis has been in Australia for a while playing Big Bash League, Australia’s domestic T-20 tournament and was hopeful the time he has spent in Australia enables him to feel comfortable with the conditions here. "I have been playing for the Sydney Sixers, with whom I had a contract for four games. We had some great practice sessions and they were a good bunch of guys. It helped me get used to Australian conditions. We had Trevor Bayliss, whom I have been working with back in Sri Lanka also. So, that was good."
The new rules introduced for ODIs is considered a disadvantage for the spin bowlers but Mendis said that he will take it as a challenge.
"We are not used to it, but in one way it’s good for a spinner, because it allows us to bring the field in and gives a little more opportunity to get wickets. We’re thinking about the positive side about what we can do with the new rule. The first time it was difficult to bowl with the five fielders in, but as time went on, we thought it was a good opportunity for the bowlers to get some wickets, to have the extra man in.
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