Kamindu Mendis had first hit the headlines as an ambidextrous spinner in 2018, but had also been accumulating runs in first-class cricket. Over time, he carved an identity as a batter who bowls if needed. As of September 17, 2024, no active batter has more first-class runs with a higher average than his 4,331 at 63.30.

His Test record makes even more impressive reading. From six matches, he has 695 runs at 77.22. Five of these have come away from home – two in Bangladesh and three in England. He made 102 and 164 at Sylhet, followed by 92 not out in Chattogram, then 113 at Old Trafford, 74 at Lord’s, and 64 at The Oval.

Curiously, barring his debut (against Afghanistan at home), he has never batted in the top six. Seven has been his preferred position, raising eyebrows from some corners – particularly since Kusal Mendis, the incumbent No.3, averages 22.33 across nine innings in 2024.

Where does Kamindu Mendis bat outside international cricket?

Kamindu bats at four for the Colombo Cricket Club in the Sri Lanka Major League Tournament. As captain, he bats at three for Dambulla District in the National Super League 4-Day Competition. For Sri Lanka A, he batted at five when South Africa had come over in 2023. There is little doubt that he had been batting below his preferred positions in Tests. That is about to change.

For the first Test match against New Zealand, Sri Lanka will finally promote Kamindu to five, revealed head coach Sanath Jayasuriya. To make room, Dinesh Chandimal will move up to three, while Kusal will drop to seven (and will also keep wicket). Jayasuriya also revealed their starting XI.

Sri Lanka Playing XI for the 1st Test Match
1.Dimuth Karunaratne
2.Pathum Nissanka
3.Dinesh Chandimal
4.Angelo Mathews
5.Kamindu Mendis
6.Dhananjaya De Silva (C)
7.Kusal Mendis (WK)
8.Ramesh Mendis
9.Prabath Jayasuriya
10. Lahiru Kumara
11.Asitha Fernando

— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine) September 17, 2024

Will Kamindu make it to No.3?

From eight innings, Chandimal averages only 19.62 from No.3, but he has not batted at that position since 2019. His most famous innings, 162 not out on a turning deck against India at Galle in 2015, had come from No.6. One can only speculate at this point, but perhaps this is an intermediate arrangement before Sri Lanka finally promote Kamindu to one-drop.

Fresh from a Test match win at The Oval, Sri Lanka will host New Zealand for two Test matches, both at Galle, from September 18 and September 26.

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