(This post was last modified: 04-05-2021, 10:06 AM by pj57.)
(04-05-2021, 04:09 AM)Randy Wrote:(04-04-2021, 10:47 PM)pj57 Wrote: You have taken few occasions where the fourth innings has been match saving and match winning due to exceptional individual performances. Those are few and far between, how many of these occasions can you count in the history of 2400 test matches. Most matches are won due to a good first innings score and a good first innings lead which is then used to win the match. Of course there are exceptions to the rule as in anything else. Having said that, Mendis hasn't contributed to saving or winning a match in his fourth innings except for that unbeaten 84 against SA. In fact he has batted 18 times in the 4th innings and we have lost 11 of those matches and won only 5. Even when we won, he has made a contribution in only two matches, 84* against SA and 66 against Zimbabwe. So what are you talking about
lol so? Do you think matches can be won single handedly?
https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/629074.html?class=1;filter=advanced;innings_number=3;innings_number=4;orderby=default;template=results;type=allround
Mendis average 43 in the Second innings. 5 of his 7 hundred have come there.
When you prune it down to the fourth innings
https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/629074.html?class=1;filter=advanced;innings_number=4;orderby=default;template=results;type=allround
Averages 53.66.
It's a small sample space, yes. But these numbers are pretty good. Mendis averaging in the second innings shows you that he needs to time to adjusted to the pace of the wicket. But these numbers prove one thing, Mendis is definitely a capable player and he deserves to be on the team asap.
The first innings, fourth innings are equally important. If Mendis did well in first innings, and failed in fourth innings pretty sure you'd find this as a reason to keep him out of the team.
More facts have been added by Bada to the facts I had given already to prove contributing in the first innings is more important and valuable than having a good average in the third or fourth innings. Further more having a good average doesn't mean much if you haven't contributed to the team winning or saving a match. When you average just 17 against top teams and 27 overall at the important position of #3, you can't say he deserves his position in the team. That's absolutely rubbish. Even Dickwella's first innings average is better than Mendis. DdS averages nearly 45 in the first innings while Chandimal averages 44. Even Dimuth known as a batsman who scores better in the second innings averages 34 in the first innings. Actually none of our top order batsmen who have played regularly average less than Mendis in the first innings