Galle, Sri Lanka — In a thrilling opening day of the first Test between Sri Lanka and New Zealand at the Galle International Stadium, Kamindu Mendis played a masterful innings, scoring 114 runs to lead Sri Lanka to a competitive 302-7 at stumps.
Sri Lanka, having won the toss and electing to bat, faced early troubles as they collapsed to 106-4. However, Mendis’s remarkable knock ensured that the hosts crossed the 300-run mark by the end of the day.
At stumps, Ramesh Mendis was unbeaten on 14, while Prabath Jayasuriya was yet to get off the mark.
New Zealand’s William O’Rourke was the standout performer with the ball, claiming 3-54. His aggressive bowling dismantled the Sri Lankan top order. Dimuth Karunaratne was dismissed for just 2 runs after being beaten by O’Rourke’s extra bounce, and Pathum Nissanka fell to a well-directed yorker for 27.
Angelo Mathews (36) and Dinesh Chandimal (30) attempted to stabilize the innings, but Mathews had to leave the field temporarily after a delivery from O’Rourke bruised his right index finger. Tim Southee dismissed Chandimal, and Dhananjaya de Silva was out to Glenn Phillips, who took the wicket with his second delivery.
Mathews returned to the crease but was dismissed by O’Rourke just before tea.
Mendis, who entered the match with a string of impressive scores, got a lifeline on 21 when Phillips dropped a catch at midwicket. He celebrated his fourth Test century with a stylish cover drive off spinner Rachin Ravindra, earning a standing ovation from his teammates.
Mendis shared a crucial 103-run partnership with Kusal Mendis, who scored 50 before a peculiar dismissal. Kusal pulled a half-tracker from Phillips straight into the body of Tom Latham at short-leg. The ball ricocheted off Latham’s arm, allowing Southee to make a diving catch at midwicket.
Ajaz Patel ended Mendis’s brilliant innings when he took a catch off a delivery that reared up from footmarks. Mendis, attempting a cut shot, could only glove the ball to Daryl Mitchell.
As the first day concluded, Sri Lanka will look to build on their solid foundation while New Zealand will aim to capitalize on their early breakthroughs.
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