Veteran cricket coach Nelson Mendis launched his book titled Cricket Basics on Friday at the Malalasekera Auditorium at Nalanda College, a wish that eventually came out of his desire for contributing articles to the Press.
The book will now be on sale for all cricket lovers who want to learn more about how the game should be played and what areas they should improve.
Mendis said that he did not think of writing a book although his articles were published in the newspapers from time to time that helped him write the book eventually.
“This was the reason why I took so long to publish a book on cricket coaching”, noted Mendis.
Mendis has a coaching school at the Colombo Cricket Club (CCC) for the past 25 years that has shaped the careers of many national cricketers of the past and present.
One of them was Roshan Mahanama who was the Chief Guest at the launch of the book. There were others like Brendon Kuruppu, who was the first to score a double century in Tests and other players present on that day.
In his descriptive speech Mahanama paying tribute to the veteran coach said that Mendis was his coach, critic, mentor and character builder that led him to become a Test cricketer of the highest order and later a match referee.
“I must confess that I was at peace when I was at the crease. I did this with great happiness to excel as Mendis guided me towards building these characters,” said Mahanama.
“He would always teach to play the game with a straight bat, be thorough with the rules of the game to be a complete cricketer,” added Mahanama.
The former World Cup champion batsman said all discerning players and coaches should take note of what Mendis has written in the book.
“All coaches should follow the details published in this book as it can make a good cricketer out of the young children. The character of children is eroding fast today and all coaches should follow the advice given in this book.
“The book does not only touch on techniques of the art of playing but also helps in motivation, communication and building of excellent character,” said Mahanama.
Writing the Foreword in the Book Mahanama was all praise for his mentor.
“I wish Mr. Mendis all the very best for the launch of this book and I look forward to reading it myself. To the potential readers, cricket fans, students of the game, coaches, I urge you to invest in this and learn from one of the greatest students and mentors of the game.”
