By Srian Obeyesekere

While making special mention of the unifying value solidarity binding Sri Lanka cricketers and the country’s22 million cricket fan base without which the game would not prosper, Sri Lanka ODI Captain, Kusal Mendis said yesterday that he was confident that the country would evolve on the ODI front as well as T20 in the days ahead in gearing for the future.

“I believe by now we have a set number of 20 players in place to work with for the future with the T20 World Cup five months hence, and the next world cup 4 years hence, and that Wanindu (Hasarnga) and myself will be able to gel our respective teams into the right mix in time to come,” Mendis observed addressing the media yesterday.

He noted that Sri Lankan cricket fans had been always behind the cricketers in good and bad.

“If not for our cricket fans the game would not get anywhere. It would be lost. It is the binding force of the crowds that have influenced the game of cricket in this country for so long and I believe their continuous support will count in our going places,” he aired.

He added that although the first two games did not yield the desired results spectator-wise, the last ODI had seen a surge with fans coming by the numbers after the gates were open to them.