New Delhi: Kamindu Mendis proved his mettle for Sri Lanka yet again during the first day of the first Test match against New Zealand at the Galle International stadium. While the hosts lost their first three wickets inside 100 runs and were left pondering over on the opening day of the five-day affair, the young Mendis came to the team’s rescue with a sensational and gritty century.
Mendis rose up to the occasion with a knock off 114 runs off 173 balls, helping Sri Lanka cross the 300-run mark at stumps on the first day. His patient yet fiery knock, which included 11 boundaries, came as an act of rescue as he took control of the innings after the hosts lost all their experienced batters. This was his fourth Test hundred in just his seventh match and 11 innings.
Star in the making equals world record
With this remarkable knock, Kamindu Mendis equalled a world Test record matching Pakistan’s Saud Shakeel as the only other batter to achieve it. Mendis became the only other batter after Shakeel to hit 50 plus runs in each of his first seven matches.
⚠️ Kamindu Mendis equals a World Test record by scoring 50+ runs in each of his first seven matches, with Pakistan’s Saud Shakeel being the only other batter to achieve this feat 🏏🇱🇰 pic.twitter.com/1tMaO1XsTj
— Azzam Ameen (@AzzamAmeen) September 18, 2024
The flamboyant Lankan batter, apart from scoring his first Test century against New Zealand, has scored two hundreds against Bangladesh and one against England in his Test career. Mendis also became the quickest Sri Lanka batter to score four centuries for the team, achieving the record in just his 11th innings.
He surpassed Michael Vandort, who had achieved the record for the Lankans in his 21st innings. Kamindu shared a 102-run stand with Kusal Mendis to stabilise the Lankan innings after early jolts but unfortunately lost his wicket just before the play was called-off for the day.
Sri Lanka vs New Zealand, 1st Test: Kamindu Mendis scored a sensational century for Sri Lanka on the first day of the first Test match against New Zealand at Galle. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
