Learn to read batsmen's mind, Jayawardene's advice to Mendis

After the recent thrashing against India, mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis needs to work on reading the batsmen's mind to regain his lost spark, believes Sri Lanka's outgoing skipper Mahela Jayawardene.
"India is one of the top sides today and they played very well against us. We have played them a lot in recent times and I think they played Mendis very capably," Jayawardene today said after arriving here for a two-Test series against Pakistan.

"He now has to realise that the surprise element is out and he now has to become a much smarter bowler and come up with new tricks and learn to read the mind of the batsmen. He has got Muralitharan with him who is a very good teacher," he added when asked about Mendis, who came a cropper in the recent ODI series against India which the Lankans lost 1-4.

Jayawardene once again sidestepped queries on who his successor would be when he steps down after the upcoming two-Test series against Pakistan.

"...I think the final decision is with the selectors whom they pick," Jayawardene, who will step down as captain after the two-Test series against Pakistan, said in a news conference in Karachi.

Jayawardene reiterated that his decision would allow Sri Lanka to be better prepared for the 2011 World Cup in South Asia

Mendis will bounce back: Jayawardene

Ajantha Mendis might have suffered a poor run in the recent ODI series against India but Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene believes the mystery spinner will soon make a successful comeback.

Mendis burst onto the international scene with his mesmerising spell against India last year but hit a rough patch in the recent series against India and was also rested in the fourth ODI. He scalped only five wickets in the series.

"Yes definitely (he'll hit form). This is probably the time he has to learn the ropes. The inception was brilliant. Everyone was surprised by the talent he had.

"Like all the international cricketers, he just has to try and adjust," Jayawardene told reporters.

"I think it is a good challenge for him to adjust. Do different things like what Murali did for the last 15 or 16 years, creating new opportunities, bowling different things.

"Specially having Muttiah Muralitharan alongside him will definitely help him to achieve those targets and goals and we have to be patient with Ajantha and give him the opportunity he needs," Jayawardene added.

Sachin helped me tackle Mendis: Yuvi

It was carnival time for the India batsmen in Colombo and one of the man leading the carnage against Lanka, Yuvraj Singh summed up the Indian mood post the win and of course he thanked Little Master Sachin Tendulkar for his tips that helped him tackle spin wizard Ajantha Mendis.

It was lip-smacking to the core, Yuvraj Singh was the toast of Premadasa and it took just 82 balls for hs century, and the acknowledgement went straight to the dressing room.

Adressing the media after the win, Yuvi said, "He (Sachin) actually gave me plans to play Mendis in this series because last time I got out to him a few times so I was chatting with Sachin who told me a few points, which really helped me in getting through in the initial overs. I'll give credit to Sachin for helping me."

Playing in tandem with Sehwag has been a rarity for the lef-hander. However, when he got this opportunity he did not want to let go off it.

He said, "I don't remember me and Viru batting together and getting a hundred. Because normally Viru is batting up the order. By the time i get to the crease he is out on hundred or I am there till he gets 250 or 300 runs. I don't get to bat much with him. But I really enjoyed batting with him."

The Little Master was third time unlucky in this series. However, Yuvi warned his opponents that Sachin will be back with a bang.

Mendis form not a worry, says Jayawardene

Feb 1, 2009

COLOMBO (AFP) — Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene said Sunday that spinner Ajantha Mendis would come back strongly after getting just two wickets in as many matches against India in the ongoing one-day series.

"We cannot ask a 23-year-old to pick four wickets in every game. I am sure Ajantha will bounce back. It is not a huge concern for me," said the Sri Lankan skipper, whose team trail 2-0 in the five-match series.

The unorthodox spinner grabbed 19 wickets in his first six matches against India, including a 6-13 performance in his team's victory in the Asia Cup final in Karachi in July 2008.

But he went wicketless for the first time against India in the opening game in Dambulla and took two in the second match here on Saturday, having so far conceded 91 runs in 20 overs.

"Right now, they are playing him well. Let him learn. The batsmen also adjust themselves and then the bowlers try to change what they want to do and that's how they learn," said Jayawardene.

"He is still bowling well and creating opportunities. He is probably not picking wickets because the batsmen are not taking too many risks against him."

Mendis played a key role in his team's Test series victory against India at home last year when he captured 26 wickets -- the best by any bowler in a debut three-match series.

He also became the fastest to complete 50 one-day wickets recently, achieving the feat in 19 matches. He has so far bagged 61 wickets in 26 games.

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said he was happy his team had not given too many wickets to Sri Lankan spinners Mendis and Muttiah Muralitharan in the first two one-dayers.

"I won't say that our batsmen have got the better of the Sri Lankan spinners. There are still three more games to go. They are not getting wickets, but at the same time they are not giving away too many runs," said Dhoni.

"We are cautious and targeting other bowlers. We are happy that we are not giving wickets to the spinners."