Ajantha Mendis dedicates trophy to the country

By Jatila KARAWITA

CRICKET: International Cricket Council (ICC) Emerging Player of the Year award winner and mystery spinner, Ajantha Mendis vowed to keep his feet firmly on the ground amidst a swirling media euphoria over his record-breaking feats. He met local media personnel at Sri Lanka Cricket. Headquarters on Friday.

"I am at a loss for words at being feted by the ICC", the 23-year-old told reporters soon after he returned to the sport's local controlling body headquarters after having accepted the award at ICC's Dubai based headquarters last Wednesday (Sept. 10)

"I am thankful to my parents and my family, my fans and my teammates for being such a source of strength over a such a short period of time in my international cricket career.

"I know that I cannot control what the media have to say of my deeds.

"But, I don't go after records and if they come then it is good and well for my team and country.

"I am determined not to be swept away totally by the media frenzy surrounding my exploits in the cricket field", he said.

Mendis who has taken world cricket by storm since first breaking into the national team early this year during the tour of West Indies, said that to have been felicitated by the ICC in a span of over six months was 'mind-boggling'.

Performances consistent

"I think my performances during the voting period was consistent which enabled me to win this prestigious award which I dedicate wholeheartedly to my country,"

he said ever so modestly. The spectators egged me on all the time, Mendis quipped.

The Second Lieutenant of Sri Lanka Army noted that upon reaching the ICC headquarters in Dubai ahead of the awards show, he had felt confident of winning the coveted title over the likes of such contenders as Stuart Broad of England, Ishant Sharma of India and Morne Morkel of South Africa.

Asked whether being continuously showered with accolades was a strength or a distraction to his concentration, the dusky and lanky spinner with befuddling variations, stated that he is mature enough to take everything in his stride.

"I have come the hard way and I indeed to serve my country for a long time to come.

"As I go along, no doubt both the bouquets and brickbats will come in equal measure.

"But, to face it all I am made of sterner stuff and I vouch not to look back after a such a dream start to my international career."

Balapuwaduge Ajantha Winslow Mendis bowls a mixture of deliveries including googlies, off breaks, top spinners, flippers and leg-breaks as well as a carom ball released with a flick of his middle finger.

Mendis was a prolific wicket-taker for Sri Lanka Army in the 2007-08 season and had taken 46 wickets at an average of 10.56 and a strike rate of 31 from just six matches.

The Moratuwa-born mystery spinner, made his ODI debut against the West Indies at Port of Spain in April 2008 taking (3-39).

He then made his Test debut against India in Colombo in which he grabbed (8/132) in the process becoming the first Sri Lankan bower to claim an eight-wicket haul on Test debut.

He ended his debut Test series with a terrific haul of 26 wickets against India, lowering a 67-year-old record which stood to the credit of former England ace-pacer Alec Bedser who claimed 24 wickets in a debut three-Test series also against India.

During the voting period for the ICC Emerging Player of the Year Award Mendis shared 20 wickets off just eight matches in ODIs at an impressive average of 10.25.

Unanimous choice

He was the unanimous choice of the 25-person voting Academy of the ICC. Players who are under the age of 26 are eligible for the 'Emerging Player of the Year Award' and should have played no more than 5 Tests or 10 ODIs before the start of the voting period which was August 9th 2007.

Ajantha Mendis 'foxed' India with unpredictability, killer efficiency and deadly accuracy to be deservedly named Player of the Series.

Meanwhile, skipper Mahela Jayawardena accepted the Spirit of Cricket Award on behalf of his team at the fifth ICC awards ceremony held in Dubai.

Sri Lanka 2nd time

It was the second time Sri Lanka had won the award presented to the side, which in the view of the ICC elite panel of umpires and match referees has best conducted itself on the field.

Jayawardena who was voted in two other individual categories of the ICC Cricketer of the Year and ICC Test Player of the Year lost out to Shiv Chanderpaul and Dale Steyn of West Indies and South Africa respectively.

Australian umpire Simon Taufel won the award of the ICC Umpire of the Year while Charlotte Edwards of England was named as the Women's Player of the Year.