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Sri Lankan all-rounder Kamindu Mendis came up with a brilliant century to guide his side past 300 runs for the loss of seven wickets against New Zealand on Day 1. Notably, New Zealand are touring Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series, which began with the first Test on Wedensday, September 18, at the Galle International Stadium in Galle. At the start of the match, Sri Lankan skipper Dhananjaya de Silva won the toss and chose to put the score on the board first.
Sri Lanka had a shaky start, and were soon reduced to 106-4. William O’Rourke was in the mood of complete destruction as he registered figures of 3-54 early in the Test. Dimuth Karunaratne (2), Pathum Nissanka (27), and Angelo Mathews (36) fell prey to the Kiwi bowler, and they walked back to the hut after not being able to come up with a knock of substance. While Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews tried to steady innings for the side in the midst of William O'Rourke's spell, it didn't take long before Mathews was forced to retire after hurting his right hand.
Kamindu Mendis hits fourth Test century to help Sri Lanka end up with 302-7 total on Day 1
After his arrival to the crease, Kamindu Mendis came up with another exceptional knock which proved to be crucial in helping the side build the foundation for a good score. Mendis went into the match with seven 50-plus scores in 10 Test innings, and he got a reprieve on 21 when Glenn Phillips missed a catch. The left-handed batter was batting against spinner Rachin Ravindra, when he struck a beautiful drive through cover to come up with his hundred before getting acknowledged by his teammates with a standing ovation.
Kamindu built a 103-run stand with Kusal Mendis, who made 50 before his dismissal. Kamindu Mendis was forced to walk back to the hut after scoring 114 runs from 173 deliveries with 11 boundaries at a strike rate of 65.90.
Kamindu Mendis becomes second batter to score half century in seven consecutive Test matches
Kamindu Mendis has got off to a stellar start to his Test career for Sri Lanka, and that's why, the fans as well as pundits have already placed him in the league of Sri Lankan greats. During the match, as Mendis completed his half-century, he became the only second batter in the history to score a fifty in seven consecutive Test matches. He is second to Pakistan’s Saud Shakeel in the list.
