Cricket: Mendis not certain to start

Ajantha Mendis, who mesmerised New Zealand at the Twenty20 world championships, is no certain starter for Sri Lanka in the two-test series - news that should provide the tourists with some cheer.

The bowler's digit-defying 'carrom' delivery has befuddled a succession of batsmen since his debut in July last year. But Mendis was so badly out of form in Sri Lanka's latest series against Pakistan, he was dropped for the final test as coach Troy Bayliss and captain Kumar Sangakkara opted for a four-pronged pace attack.

While Mendis enjoyed a sensational start to his test career, taking 33 wickets at 18.36 in his four tests, in the succeeding four test matches he has taken just six wickets at 65.83, prompting speculation that he might have been 'figured out'.

Given that those four tests all came against Pakistan, noted players of spin, it is perhaps more than likely that they alone have figured him out.

Bayliss said almost immediately that he regretted playing a lone spinner but that does not necessarily mean a welcome mat will be laid at Mendis' door. Rangana Herath had a good series (15 wickets at 26.93) and Muttiah Muralitharan is set to return from a knee injury, meaning Mendis faces competition for a place.

New Zealand batsmen have been studying footage of Mendis for the past couple of months. Any chance they're scrambling for footage of Herath, a left-arm orthodox spinner, now?