Former England captain Michael Vaughan and former Australian wicketkeeper and batsman Adam Gilchrist have different opinions on Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis, especially his finger spin. While Vaughan said Kamindu does not have any special speciality, Gilchrist praised the Sri Lankan’s talent.
Kamindu Mendis emerged as the lone warrior for the tourists in Sri Lanka on the second day of the ongoing second Test against England at Lord’s. Mendis played a very important knock of 74 runs to help Sri Lanka post 251 runs on the board in their first innings against England at Lord’s.
Kamindu Mendis looks like a real player: Adam Gilchrist
Despite a valiant effort from Kamindu Mendis, Sri Lanka struggled throughout the day, with Mendis being the only player to contribute significantly to their total after England were bowled out for 427 in the first innings of the ongoing second Test at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground.
The all-rounder also scored a century in the first Test but Sri Lanka suffered a five-wicket defeat in Manchester, conceding a 0-1 lead to England in the ongoing three-match Test series. Kamindu Mendis is a slow left-arm orthodox off-break bowler but he has not had many overs to bowl so far in the Test series in England.
Australian great Adam Gilchrist said he didn’t see Kamindu Mendis’ century against England but predicted the Sri Lankan star will have a great career in Test cricket. Adam Gilchrist said on the Club Prairie Fire Podcast: “I saw it; I saw Kamindu get his 100. He looks like a real player. And as you say, he’s laid the foundation for a very good Test career.”
Nowadays it is very common to throw with fingers and both arms: Michael Vaughan
Kamindu Mendis bowls with both arms and this unique skill, which includes a slow orthodox delivery with his left arm and an off-spin delivery with his right arm, has distinguished him in cricket. However, Michael Vaughan pointed out that such double-arm bowlers are becoming more common and are now seen more frequently among young cricketers, highlighting a growing trend of all-round talents in the game.
Michael Vaughan said on the Club Prairie Fire podcast, “It’s becoming a common thing now, isn’t it? I’ve seen a lot of these guys who can do both.” Playing with both arms presents unique challenges and rules. When a pitcher switches between right-arm and left-arm pitching, he must inform the umpire before making the change.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan said this rule is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the game, ensuring both the bowler and the batsman are aware of changes during an over. Michael Vaughan added: “You have to tell the umpire, and then you tell the batsman. That’s a rule I knew.”
Meanwhile, legendary Australian batsman Adam Gilchrist highlighted the growing debate over whether the rules for changing arms when pitching should be made more flexible. Some argue that, given modern batting techniques such as the arm switch and reverse sweeps, pitchers should also be given more flexibility to change arms when pitching during the game.
Adam Gilchrist calls for a change in the rules for switching weapons
Currently, pitchers must inform the umpire before changing arms, ensuring the batter is aware of the change. However, with increasing skill and innovation among pitchers, Adam Gilchrist believes pitchers deserve flexibility.
Adam Gilchrist said pitchers should be allowed to change arms without warning to the umpire and the batter, and that they would automatically be prepared for the game plan and that the matchup would be exciting to watch.
Adam Gilchrist said on the podcast: “That’s a rule that I was aware of, but I saw it being discussed recently. Well, not recently, maybe in the last few years, where maybe it should be relaxed given that a hitter can do a changeup or a reverse sweep. So, he faces it as a right-handed pitcher and then he effectively becomes a left-handed pitcher.”
“So, as you say, Vaughan, there are more and more experienced players trying this. Maybe that space should be freed up so they can just run around, and nobody knows what will happen. And the captain or the batsman has to hope that they know what they are doing against whatever is coming, their match plan,” Adam Gilchrist added.
They may be struggling in the series, but Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 have found a gem 💎 in Kamindu Mendis, both with bat and ball!
How good 🔥 do you think it will be?#ClubPrairieFire image.twitter.com/11knSPCHtJ
— Prairie Fire Club (@clubprairiefire) September 1, 2024
