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Sri Lanka coach Graham Ford, who has previously praised Kusal Pereras technique, described Kusal Mendis 176 as one of the best hes seen, and said the batsmans temperament had impressed him as well. At the end of day four, Mendis innings still appears a monumental anomaly in a match in which the next highest score is 47.What can you say? Its one of the best innings Ive ever seen, Ford said. It was. He seemed to have a plan - and option - against all the bowlers. He showed real composure. The odd one did explode and turn on him but he didnt bother about the previous delivery. He just focused on the next ball and got on with the job. He is an amazing talent. He works really hard and really loves the game.Mendis innings was anomalous because of its tempo, as well as its size. Of top-order batsmen to breach 30 in this Test, no one else has had a strike rate of over 60. With his innings only spanning 254 balls, Mendis struck at 69. It is also anomalous in the context of his brief career so far - his previous highest in Tests had been 53 in Leeds.Hes batted at no. 3 in all formats across the last couple of months, and shown wonderful maturity, Ford said. Hes shown signs each time of the possibility of making big scores. There have been really exciting cameos each time, but fortunately now hes got one of those big innings under his belt, it will hopefully lead to a lot more.He also just seems an extremely relaxed young man. Nothing really fazes him. He enjoys playing and he cant wait to get out there and bat. Doesnt seem to show any signs of nerves. He plays positively and plays his shots. He went to his hundred with a six - no nervous nineties. He definitely puts a lot of thought into it. He works hard. But theres no signs of him being too bothered, or worried about failure, which is quite a nice way of going about his business.Since debuting against West Indies in October last year, Mendis has largely filled the no. 3 position vacated by Kumar Sangakkara. Had you still had the Sangas and the Mahela Jayawardenes, Kusal would have ideally been blooded at no. 6 or 7, Ford said. But without anybody really putting their hand up to grab that no. 3 spot, we thought he was the guy to get in and had the technique to handle it. Each time he went out there he looked like he had real capabilities to become a world-class and match-winning no. 3. So we decided to run with him and hes paid us back. North Melbourne are counting on recruits Marley Williams and Nathan Hrovat to make the most of their AFL lifelines as the club embarks on a new era.The Kangaroos will go into the unknown in 2017 following the departures of popular veterans Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Nick Dal Santo and Michael Firrito.Coach Brad Scott cited the need to give opportunities to younger players when he defended the shock cull, and thats precisely why Williams and Hrovat moved to Arden Street during the trade period.Williams move, for pick 105, was a surprise given the former rookie played 68 games in five seasons for Collingwood, including an outstanding 2015 campaign in which he was a regular in Nathan Buckleys back six.But the 23-year-old said he knew it was time for a fresh start after a foot injury affected his fitness and form in 2016.We had a pretty open conversation by the end of the year about me being in and out of the team and not being able to hold my spot, Williams said referring to his former coach.(Me) not being able to cement a spot in the team and a few of the younger boys were pushing me out, so I thought maybe a move would do me good and improve my football.I think in 2015 I held my own playiing down in that back line but I was unlucky to be pushed out.dddddddddddd Injury didnt help, but it was a little bit disappointing.Williams said he didnt find out North were interested until the night before the final day of the trade period and admitted to nervous moments before the deal was done just 30 minutes before the deadline.Hrovat was the 21st player selected at the 2012 draft but while he was a prolific ball winner at VFL level, he managed just 30 senior appearances for the Western Bulldogs in four seasons.The 22-year-old played the last four AFL games of the season but didnt feature in the finals and didnt come into calculations for the Dogs grand final team.Despite the frustration of missing out on their drought-breaking premiership, he says he left the club on good terms.Ive made some really good relationships at the Bulldogs, and for them to win a flag after the period theyve gone through is really exciting for them, Hrovat said.Theres no bad blood between me or any of the guys, or the Bulldogs, so to play against them would be really exciting. ' ' '