Roshen misses chance as Kamindu to enter Test squad
The promising all-rounder Kamindu Mendis who was adjudged the Player of the Tournament of the recently concluded National Super League (NSL) 4-day cricket tournament gets a chance to enter the National Test cricket squad for the forthcoming Bangladesh Test series which is scheduled to commence on May 15.
The 33-year-old experienced Roshen Silva who was named in the National squad already is in England for the league cricket tournament matches and he has not informed the SLC as well as the selection committee before going straight to England and Kamindu Mendis replaced for his place, said a reliable source close to the SLC. Earlier opener Pathujm Nissanka also was unable to enter the squad due to his fitness issue and he is not fully recovered from his back injury. This was a very unfortunate issue, “Enter the National test squad is not an easy chance but Roshen was not coordinated well with the officials and finally missed his great opportunity to represent the National Test squad said an official of the SLC. “Daily News” learned that selectors advised all National players to take part in the fitness test which was held last April 25 and Roshen was not available for that fitness test due to the England tour.
Even two experienced players Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis both were included in the Dhaka Premier League came back to take part in this fitness test and Roshen has missed this opportunity said sources close to the SLC. Roshen Silva left the country on April 16 but selectors named this Test squad before 16. The same issue had with promising 24-year all-rounder Kavishka Anjula who was named for the Emerging cricket 32-member squad and Anjula also left the country to play the England league cricket matches.
Kamindu Mendis who was named for the 32 member Emerging cricket squad earlier and tipped to be the captain of the Emerging cricket team and selectors opinion is to give more chance to young Kamindu at the emerging level to get more exposure to enter the National squad but now he is getting his chance bit early.
However, Kamindu Mendis is in terrific form during the NSL tournament having the highest number of runs 886 runs with four centuries and four half centuries with an average of 80.54 to win the Best Player of the Tournament award. His presence for the National team will make sure to fill the middle-order slot for the Bangladesh side especially his schoolmate (Richmond) Charith Asalanka who played only three Test matches played as a number six batter and Mendis has a good chance to fill that position. Mendis has already played 7 ODI’s and 5 T-20’s never played a Test and this is going to be the debut Test for young all rounder.
National Test squad for the Bangladesh series (subjected to approval from the Sports Minister): Dimuth Karunaratne (Capt), Oshada Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva, Anjelo Matthews, Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dikwella, Dinesh Chandimal, Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lasith Embuldeniya and Suminda Lakshan. Chris Silverwood (Head coach), Naveed Nawaz(Assistant coach|), Piyal Wijethunga (Spin bowling coach), Dharshana Gamage (fast bowling coach), Promodya Wickramasinghe (Selector on tour).