On Friday, Sri Lanka further solidified its control in the second Test against New Zealand, with Kamindu Mendis scoring his fifth Test century in just 13 innings and Kusal Mendis contributing his 20th half-century.
The Sri Lankan duo added 117 runs in the afternoon session, bringing the team’s total to 519 for 5 as the pitch started to favor spin bowlers. With more batting depth still to come, Sri Lanka is poised for a substantial score.
The all-Mendis partnership marks the third century stand of the innings, complementing earlier partnerships of 97 and 74 runs. Kamindu joins Dinesh Chandimal, who scored 116 runs primarily on day one, as the second centurion of the match.
New Zealand’s bowlers have struggled significantly; Ajaz Patel has gone wicketless while conceding 135 runs, and Mitchell Santner has similarly failed to take a wicket, allowing 82 runs, although he has been the most economical of the New Zealand bowlers.
The afternoon session saw limited chances for New Zealand, with the only notable moment being when Kamindu was nearly dismissed by a sharply turning delivery from Ajaz. Unfortunately for New Zealand, wicketkeeper Tom Blundell could not hold onto the ball. Earlier, a review for an lbw appeal against Kamindu was unsuccessful, with the ball projected to turn down the leg side. Another appeal for a caught behind was overturned as the ball had brushed Kamindu’s pad rather than his bat.
By the time tea was called, Kamindu had accumulated 957 Test runs, and if he reaches another 43 runs in this innings, he would become the fastest player to 1,000 Test runs since 1950 based on the number of innings played.
During the morning session, New Zealand’s Michael Bracewell made an impact by dismissing Angelo Mathews, who scored 88, with a delivery that induced a top edge to short fine leg. Bracewell also claimed Dhananjaya de Silva just before lunch, as Blundell made another catch off a top edge at short leg.
Kamindu started the day on 51 runs and progressed steadily to 93 by the lunch break. He celebrated his century with characteristic restraint, marking another milestone in his burgeoning Test career.
