Ajantha Mendis has mesmerized everyone in the current Sri-Lanka win over India in the Test series. Before the series began, many including myself had doubts if he would succeed in Tests, as he looked like a bowler who could do many nice things without a stock ball. I have mentioned in the earlier blog that surprise bowlers with a lots of little tricks will be common, as T20 and shorter versions get popular. They may not beat the batsmen defensilvely, but may cause shot selection problems
Mendis however has proved himself to be more than that. He got Rahul Dravid out defensively a few times and beat Laxman in flight just as much. Gambhir, Sehwag and Tendulkar played him well but the pressure of facing Mendis with Murali was felt all along.
How is Mendis doing it without a stock ball? As they say, one must have a stock ball around which you make variations much like in chess openings and strategic lines of play from which tactics unfold.
Well, he does not have a stock ball but has a stock bowling action!
It all comes down a straight line, much like Kumble but with subtle varieties which no other wobbly bowler ever has perhaps had! After a few dozen deliveries it is much like the parallax experiments in optics. He can make a mockery of hand-eye coordination for sure....
Saumil
Mumbai
12 Aug 2008
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