Wisden Overview
A strong, burly, wristy batsman capable of destroying attacks at any level when the mood took him, Mendis played in key part in Sri Lanka’s early days as a Test-playing country. Mendis, who had first played for Sri Lanka in 1972 while at school but was almost 30 when they played their first Test, made a shaky start, but quickly found his feet, despite having the additional burden of captaining the side from their third Test. He hit 105 in both innings against India at Madras 1982-83, and nearly repeated the feat two years later against England at Lord’s, with 111 and 94. Considering the circumstances, he performed admirably leading Sri Lanka to its inaugural Test and series victory against India in 1985-86, scoring 310 runs at 62.00. Following his hundred against Pakistan the following winter he went into a steady decline, scoring only two fifties in his last 10 Tests. He was replaced as captain by Ranjan Madugalle for the tour to England in 1988, where he signed off with 56 in his final Test at Lord’s. He remained in the public eye, with Sri Lanka’s World Cup success coming while he was managing the side.
