Mendis marks return to international cricket with world class performance

Ajantha Mendis returned to international arena with brilliant bowling performances to claim six for eight runs and guided Sri Lanka to a massive 82 runs win over Zimbabwe in the World T20 opener, played at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Sooriyawewa, on Tuesday.

The army officer set a new world record for T20 internationals, erasing his own record of six for 16 against Australia at Pallakele, last year.

Chasing a mammoth target of 183, Zimbabwe were bundled out for 100 runs, as Ajantha and Jeevan Mendis shared nine wickets, with  Lasith Malinga claiming the final wicket. The Zimbabwe innings lasted 17.3 overs.

Having being sent into bat, Kumar Sangakkara and Jeevan Mendis blasted 94 runs off 51 balls to lift Sri Lanka to 182 for 4 wickets. Sangakkara hammered 44 in 26 balls with a six and couple of boundaries along the ground. Jeevan proved what a useful all-rounder he can be, by scoring an unbeaten 43 off 30 balls with four boundaries and a six.

The hosts built their innings on a solid platform of 54 runs, laid by the two openers, T. M. Dilshan and Dilshan Munaweera.

Munaweera had the easiest possible start to his international carrier as he dispatched his first ball, a full toss from Kyle Jarvis, to the extra cover boundary. However, the bowler recovered well to bowl five dot balls in the same over.

Munaweera was given his life twice as he was dropped by Malcolm Waller at wide mid-on and deep square leg before he was run out for 17.

Mahela Jayawardene made only 13 off 18 balls before Sangakkara and Mendis lifted the total beyond the 180 runs mark.

Quite surprisingly, Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to field on unknown territory, where they gave away 96 runs in the last 12 overs.

Sri Lanka left out youngster, Akila Dhananjaya, along with Rangana Herath, Shaminda Eranga and Dinesh Chandimal from their 15.

Ray Price was a notable omission from the Zimbabwe playing XI.

– Daminda Wijesuriya reporting from Sooriyawewa, Hambantota
Source:  Daily Mirror(Sri Lanka)