Ramesh Mendis received his Sri Lanka Test cap on Friday, coming into the side for the second Test against England – here’s the lowdown on the 25-year-old.

What does he do?

Mendis is an off-spinning all-rounder and has come into the Sri Lanka side in place of leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga.

While carded to bat at seven in this Test match, Mendis’ numbers with the bat in first-class cricket actually stand out more than those with the ball: from 45 matches, his batting average is 43.46, while his bowling average is 38.26. He also holds a high score of 300 not out.

What’s his form like?

Mendis last played red-ball cricket in August 2020, striking a 101-ball 104 for Moors against Nondescripts on the Sri Lankan domestic scene. In an innings win for his side, he returned match figures of 3-100 too.

Since then the only match time he’s enjoyed has been for Dambulla Viiking in the Lanka Premier League, where most of his work was done with the ball: in seven matches he took six wickets at an average of 20, while he batted on just four occasions. He did, however, crack a 10-ball 26 in a semi-final defeat to Jaffna Stallions.

What international experience does Ramesh Mendis have?

Mendis’ Test debut is his first international appearance for Sri Lanka’s senior side, though he does have some Under-19 experience under his belt, having played a couple of games at the 2014 Under-19 World Cup.

He has also played some red-ball cricket against England before, when the visitors toured last March prior to the cancellation of their two Tests due to the coronavirus pandemic. Part of a Sri Lanka Board President’s XI, Mendis bowled 31 overs and returned figures of 1-106, his sole wicket that of Dom Sibley. He’ll be hoping for better returns on the biggest stage.