LONDON: Sri Lanka’s in-form Kamindu Mendis is set to stay at number seven in the batting order as his side try to avoid a 3-0 series whitewash by England.

The visitors head into the third Test at The Oval starting Friday already 2-0 down in the series after last week’s 190-run loss to England at Lord’s, which followed a five-wicket defeat at Old Trafford.

The 25-year-old Kamindu Mendis, however, has been a shining light for Sri Lanka, topping their series batting averages with 203 runs, including a century in Manchester, at an impressive average of more than 50.

Initially best known as an ambidextrous spin bowler, the left-handed batsman has now scored three hundreds in his five Tests.

Against England he has generally been batting down the order and, despite the struggles he is likely to stay there.

“If he is scoring runs there, let him score runs at number seven,” Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva said at The Oval on Thursday.

“We should not upset his momentum as well. That would be a tough call for him, to ask him to bat early. If he gets out early, the blame will come on me.

“He is doing well at number seven. For now let him play at number seven.”

The series may be lost but De Silva said victory, which would end a run of seven straight Test defeats by England, would still be valuable.

“Winning a Test match will be awesome,” he explained. “The main thing is we need points for the World Test Championship.” De Silva was speaking before Sri Lanka named their side for the match, with two changes from the team that played at Lord’s.

Kusal Mendis returns as a number three batsman after Nishan Madushka, who had the tough dual role of opener and wicketkeeper in the second Test, was dropped.

It had been thought Kusal Mendis would also keep wicket but Sri Lanka confirmed later Thursday that Dinesh Chandimal, who kept in the second innings at Lord’s after his thumb injury meant Madushka initially took over the gloves, would remain behind the stumps.

Meanwhile, left-arm paceman Vishwa Fernando was recalled in place of left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya as Sri Lanka opted for a four-man seam attack.

“If there is left-arm variety, that’s great,” said De Silva. “It will be handy for the attack. Vishwa has some experience here (playing for Yorkshire).”

England will also have a left-arm quick in their side, with towering 20-year-old Josh Hull given a Test debut. The 6 feet, 7 inches (2 metres) tall Hull replaces Matthew Potts despite having taken just 16 wickets in 10 first-class matches.

“He was good. “Tall, quick and swinging the ball both ways,” said De Silva

England are already 2-0 up in the three-match series, having whitewashed the West Indies 3-0 earlier in the season. One more win would give England their first perfect home Test season in 20 years and be a further endorsement of their progress under coach Brendon McCullum and Stokes.

They could now be together for at least two more Ashes series, with McCullum also leaving the door open for Stokes to continue to feature in major white-ball events.

“The skipper and I haven’t spoken about that actually but I’m assuming he’s all in. He seems like that sort of bloke.”

Stokes, 33, came out of ODI retirement to play in the 50-over World Cup last year, but has not played white-ball cricket for England since.

“There’ll be some bilateral series where we simply can’t have all of our best players playing at the same time,” added McCullum. “But when it comes to major events and big series, I think those players are very much in those discussions. Ben loves big moments and big stages.”

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2024