Middle-order batter Kamindu Mendis says his commitment to Sri Lanka will remain unchanged even after selectors removed him as the team’s vice-captain just four months after his appointment.
Mendis has been replaced by former captain Charith Asalanka, who has also been appointed captain of the T20 side for Sri Lanka’s upcoming series in England following the withdrawal of regular skipper Kusal Mendis through injury.
Asked about the decision as the Sri Lankan team prepared to leave for England, Kamindu was reluctant to comment on the selectors’ decision.
“That is a question you need to ask the selectors,” he said.
Mendis insisted that losing the vice-captaincy would not affect his approach to playing for the country.
“My responsibility is to give my best to the team,” he said.
“Whatever responsibility I have as a cricketer, I am prepared to give my best to the team and the country”.
“I am not worried about being removed as vice-captain. My responsibility is to play for the country and I don’t think that will ever change because of something like this.”
Sri Lanka left last afternoon to England well ahead of the white-ball series, which begins on September 15, in an effort to give the players more time to acclimatise to English conditions. Mendis believes the experience of players who have previously toured England will also benefit the side.
“We are going there early to get used to the conditions. We played a Test tour there last year, and we have players who took part in that series and the series before that,” he said.
“That experience will definitely help us to do well in this series.”
The England tour will also form part of Sri Lanka’s preparations for next year’s ICC 50-over World Cup in South Africa. Mendis said the number of away matches on Sri Lanka’s schedule would provide valuable preparation for the tournament.
“If you look at our calendar, most of our matches are away tours, and this is definitely a good thing for us as we prepare for the World Cup,” he said.
“As a team, like I said earlier, we are well prepared for the series ahead”.
“Over the last two years, we have done well in white-ball cricket. We have shown good improvement, and this tour will be a good stepping stone for us as we look ahead to future series and the World Cup.”
Sri Lanka will be without Kusal Mendis for the T20 series because of injury, although he is expected to join the squad for the three-match ODI series. The recurring injuries to key players remain a concern, but Kamindu said they had also created opportunities for younger players to break into the national side.
“Yes, it is a problem,” he said.
“But it is something that every team has to deal with. Sometimes you have to leave the team because of an accident, and sometimes because of a muscle injury.
“The positive is that this has created opportunities for young players to come into the team. Those who did well in the LPL have got a chance, and that is a good thing”.
“I hope the injured players will recover fully and come back to the side soon.”
England tour include three T20 internationals and as many 50-over games.