SL vs NZ 1st Test 1st Day: Kamindu Mendis Century Leads Sri Lanka Recovery

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The First day of the first test match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand some quality cricket from both teams at Galle International Stadium, Galle on 18th September 2024.

Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva won the toss and decided to bat first. Pathum Nissanka looked in good touch with positive strokes against the disciplined New Zealand bowling of Southee and Rourke. Rourke troubled Lankan openers with pace and bounce before getting the breakthrough dismissing Karaunate reared providing a simple catch to Blundell. Rourke then produced a brilliant yorker to dismiss Nissanka leaving Sri Lanka in trouble at 33 for 2.

The experienced duo of Dinesh Chandimal and Mathews struggled against tight New Zealand bowling. Rourke continued his superb rhythm hitting Mathews on his thumb. Mathews was forced to retire hurt. Kamindu Mendis was promoted to number 5, beginning the innings with a lovely boundary. Sri Lanka went into the lunch break at 88 for 2.

After the lunch break, New Zealand Tim Southee struck dismissing Dinesh Chandimal with a good catch by Michael Bracewell. Kamindu Mendis made the batting look easy putting the bad deliveries away for boundaries. Glenn Phillps produced a sensational delivery to dismiss Dhananjaya de Silva leaving the hosts in trouble at 106 for 4.

Kamindu Mendis kept the scoreboard ticking while Mathews returned to bat after recovering from an injury. Kamindu made the batting look easy against the pacers and spinners reaching fifty off 78 balls. Right at the stroke of tea break, Rourke produced another good delivery to dismiss Mathews caught by Blundell. Mathews and Kamindu Mendis added 72 runs for the 5th wicket. Sri Lanka went into the tea break at 178 for 5.

Kusal and Kamindu Mendis started cautiously initially in the third session before both kept the scoreboard ticking. Both rotated the strike easily hitting boundaries. Kusal Mendis reached his fifty off 73 balls. Right before the second new ball, Kusal went in unfortunate way hitting the hand of Tom Latham and straight into the hands of Southee. Kusal and Kamindu Mendis put on 103 runs for the 6th wicket.

Kamindu Mendis completed his 4th Test century off 145 balls that kept Sri Lanka on course for a competitive total. Ajaz Patel produced a lovely delivery which spun from rough marks and straight into the hands of Mitchell at slips. Prabath Jayasuriya came to the crease surviving day 1. Sri Lanka ended the first day at 302 for 7.

Sri Lanka 302 for 7 in 88 overs (Kamindu Mendis 114, Kusal Mendis 50, Rourke 3/54, Phillips 2/52)



 






Kamindu Mendis 114 leads Sri Lanka to 302 for 7 on the first day of the first test against NZ 

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