Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Injury undid Mendis magic?

The Mendis mystery refuses to die down. If he takes wickets, he is a mystery for the batsmen. If he doesn’t he becomes a mystery for Sri Lankan fans. A former Sri Lankan captain, however, has a different take to the 23-year-old legspinner’s lacklusture display during the recent ODI series against India.

"Mendis was carrying an ankle injury," he said, "He should not have played the series against Bangladesh and taken care of his ankle." It seems the injury on the left leg affected the final stride.

"A fit Mendis will continue to be more than a handful for the batsmen," he added. It is learnt that Mendis’ stint with the army help him developed the carrom ball, which he releases with a powerful push of the middle finger. His training as a gunner gives him the strength to literally flick the cricket ball like a carrom striker.

Promoted as a second lieutenant after his cricketing feats, Mendis continues to train with the army whenever he is not with the national team. Either way, he is a true blue Sr Lankan solider.

Arjuna’s ad-vantage

Wonder why Arjuna Ranatunga never appears in commercial advertisements. Well, here’s the story. The former Lankan captain is simply adhering to his mother’s advice. Soon after making his debut, a famous tea company wanted to feature the 18-year-old in their advertisements.

"They were ready to offer me 250,000 rupees," he recalled in a casual chat with Indian scribes. For somebody who had got 250 rupees as match fees in his first Test, the sum on offer was huge. But Arjuna’s mother, a school teacher, refused, saying, "My son is not for sale."

Later when Arjuna lay in bed that night, she put a hand on his head and advised, "Son, remember, never ever sell your talent and face for anything."

It has been 27 years since then and Ranatunga has followed what mother Nandini told him that night. He has raised funds for a general hospital and a polio drive, but for free.

http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Injury-undid-Mendis-magic/articleshow/4108970.cms

1 comment:

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