"Not disappointed ... sad to leave" -- Ajantha Mendis

"Not disappointed ... sad to leave" -- Ajantha Mendis

Though sad to bid goodbye to cricket without taking part in an international match for the last time he decided to bid farewell without any disappointment -- super spin bowler of Sri Lanka cricket team, Ajantha Mendis exclaimed. Thus bidding farewell to the game of cricket he revealed this to the media officially yesterday (2) in Colombo. In the same way he mentioned that he hopes to give of his services as a coach in future. 

This official media briefing was organised by army sports club represented by Ajantha Mendis.It was
mentioned that the official farewell of Ajantha Mendis from cricket will be marked by the last match in the army inter-regiment T-twenty tournament played today (3). This game is expected to be played between artillery regiment and ordinance corps to be held in Panagoda. 

Ajantha who expressed further ideas said, "I am leaving not with any disappointment as such. It is because of my ailment that I was not able to play for a long time. I am not leaving as the trend. I had a desire to play a game of my regiment and then bid farewell. I am hoping to come as a coach in the future. As a coach I have qualified myself by passing level 3 as a coach". He also said that even Sri Lanka Cricket too made a request in this regard and that if he gets an opportunity for it, he is prepared to function as a coach any time. 

Sri Lanka Cricket made a request in that connection from me ... to take up the position of a trainee coach. I told them that I could and that it would be better if it's started from junior section. Coming to the national level means that one has perfected the skill as a bowler. With the experience behind our back, we should think how a small child should be brought to that level. What I like is to operate as a coach for those in the range of under 19 and under 15. I am at the moment engaged in coaching the spin bowling camp of the army team. If I get an invitation from Sri Lanka Cricket ... I am ready to take it up". Ajantha who expressed his opinion about the present Sri Lankan spinners, had this to say: "Sri Lankan spinners have a good future. I believe that Akila Dhananjaya can do big things. Even in future, bowlers in the age-range of 17 - 18 should be coached by us. During the time I played of course there was a plan. There were even academies for spin bowlers. I think if we go back to that era, we can create good spin bowlers". 

When a newspaper correspondent queried whether Ajatha requested from Sri Lanka Cricket to favour him with an international game for his farewell, what he said was that he made no such request. At this point Ajantha took the opportunity of revealing an unforgettable incident in his cricketing life. "I had a great desire to get Sachin Tendulkar's wicket. That 'scalp' I captured ... I will never forget", so saying he brought back his memory. 

A moment later a correspondent posed him a question related to bidding farewell without an international match in the end and Ajantha Mendis with a smile adorning his face said, "No hard feelings ... can't say; but it is not justified to play an international match by keeping away from cricket. But still for all I can continue with what I like ... that's my biggest desire. I won't say anything regarding that to Sri Lankan Cricket; because from my side it's something that happened because of my ailment. If I play tomorrow's game (inter-regiment match) and bid farewell, it will bring me joy more than an international match".