Kamindu Mendis from Sri Lanka Receives ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer Award
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Synopsis
Kamindu Mendis has earned the prestigious ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year title, marking an exceptional year of standout performances for the Sri Lankan batting sensation.
Key Takeaways
- Kamindu Mendis scored 1451 runs in 2024.
- Achieved a 74.92 average in Tests.
- Scored a career-best 182 against New Zealand.
- Key player in Sri Lanka’s 2-0 series win.
- Top scorer during a series in England.
Dubai, Jan 26 (NationPress) Kamindu Mendis, a promising batting talent from Sri Lanka, has been named the ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year after a remarkable year filled with consistent performances.
Mendis accumulated a total of 1451 runs across all formats in 2024, boasting an average exceeding 50. He also matched the legendary Sir Don Bradman by becoming the joint-third fastest to reach 1000 runs in Men’s Tests, achieving this milestone in just 13 innings.
In the realm of Test cricket, Mendis truly shone. He racked up 1049 runs in only nine Tests, averaging an impressive 74.92, making him one of just six players to score over 1000 runs in a calendar year. His impressive tally included five centuries and three fifties, showcasing his talent to turn good starts into substantial scores which were crucial for Sri Lanka’s triumphs.
One of Mendis’ standout performances occurred during Sri Lanka’s second Test against New Zealand in Galle, where he achieved a career-high score of 182 in the first innings. This spectacular innings, featuring 16 boundaries and four sixes, was instrumental in helping Sri Lanka set a daunting total of 602/5.
His contributions were pivotal in Sri Lanka's 2-0 series victory, earning him the Player of the Match accolade.
Mendis’ impact was not confined to local matches; he also excelled on international tours, finishing as Sri Lanka's leading scorer during a series in England, contributing to their first Test win in the country in a decade.
Initially having made only one Test appearance for Sri Lanka before 2024, he concluded the year as a key player in all formats, emerging as the go-to individual during critical times. His remarkable performance was evident during Sri Lanka’s quest for a spot in the inaugural ICC World Test Championship Final, where the 26-year-old consistently delivered significant scores in Test matches.
