Pallekele: Hosts Sri Lanka hope their magician spinner Ajantha Mendis recovers in time to face New Zealand in their opening Super Eights match here on Thursday.
The 25-year-old spinner took 6-8 against Zimbabwe – the best figures in all T20 cricket – in a group match before a side strain ruled him out of his team’s second game, against South Africa.
Team manager Charith Senanayake said Mendis’ progress will be monitored, while coach Graham Ford feared it would be a big blow if Mendis fails to recover.
“With the way he bowled and the X-factor he brings, it would be a big blow,” said Ford.
“In T20 cricket you want guys who can win matches on their own and he’s one of those guys,” added Ford. Mendis only returned to international cricket during this World Twenty20 after an eight month injury lay-off.
“We have a number of quality spinners, fortunately, so if Ajantha can’t play we have very capable back up,” said Ford of the squad, which also has Rangana Herath and uncapped Akila Dananjaya.
Ford hinted Dananjaya might play in case Mendis doesn’t recover in time.
“He’s certainly very close to playing. He was probably going to play against South Africa and then the game got reduced and there was the chance he would’ve been bowling with a wet ball,” said Ford of the 18-year-old, selected in the squad on the recommendation of Mahela Jayawardene. (AFP)