'Scared Chris would get 400' - Mendis

Sri Lanka spinner Ajantha Mendis admitted that he was scared that West Indies opener Chris Gayle would get to Brian Lara's world record score of 400 during the second day of the first Test at Galle.

"He played extremely well and I thought he would go on to get the 400. Fortunately he got out and right throughout we wanted to dismiss him because we knew he could make a difference with a big knock and get those runs quick too."

Mendis, who ended up with his second six-for at Galle, bowled Gayle for 333 with a ball that went through his defence to spark a West Indies collapse. "Since the wicket didn't take any spin at all for one and half days, our task became tougher. I thought he would give me the charge, but he didn't. If someone is giving the charge you have an opportunity to get him out.

"I bowled only three of my five deliveries since there was not much spin. I just wanted to bowl line and length. Our plan was to bowl line and length and put pressure on their batting. I bowled the other two deliveries only later in the innings. I just tried to mix it up today since there was some turn on the wicket towards the latter part."

Mendis stated that the wicket was still good for batting, but too slow. "We are obviously missing Murali [Muralitharan]. Whatever the wicket he gets, he turns the ball and makes it difficult for the batsmen. We are trying to fill his void. Suraj [Randiv] bowled well too. We feel his absence."