2nd Test
Day-2 Evening Session Highlights:
Kamindu Mendis record performance has propelled the Sri Lanka team ahead
At The Stumps of Day-2:
Sri Lanka scored 602/5 decl (1st Innings), where as New Zealand scored 22/2 (1st Innings).
So, finally Sri Lanka lead by 580 runs.
Kamindu Mendis became the fastest Asian batter to reach 1,000 Test runs, achieving a career-best score of 182*—his fifth Test century in just eight matches—as Sri Lanka’s batsmen dominated New Zealand on the second day in Galle.
Kusal Mendis joined the party as the third centurion of the innings, helping Sri Lanka amass a formidable total of 602/5 before declaring in the final session.
The Mendis duo forged a remarkable 200-run partnership for the sixth wicket before Dhananjaya de Silva called them in shortly after Kamindu reached his milestone.
Completing the feat in just 13 innings placed him alongside Don Bradman as the joint second-fastest to 1,000 runs, trailing only Everton Weekes and Herbert Sutcliffe, who achieved it in one fewer innings.
In addition to joining an elite club, Kamindu’s highest Test score of 182 placed Sri Lanka in a dominant position.
Throughout the innings, Kamindu received solid support from his teammates, forming partnerships of 127 runs with Angelo Mathews, 74 runs with Dhananjaya de Silva, and the double-century stand with Kusal.
The wicketkeeper-batsman also celebrated his 10th Test century, capping off a commanding batting display by Sri Lanka.
New Zealand managed to secure two wickets in the first session, dismissing both Mathews and De Silva to Glenn Phillips’ sweep deliveries.
However, as the pitch began to turn, Kamindu and Kusal took control.
Kusal set the tempo early with his aggressive batting, effortlessly hitting boundaries.
Whenever the opportunity arose, Kamindu capitalized, smashing four sixes as his confidence grew, which in turn inspired Kusal.
The latter reached his fifty with a flurry of boundaries—4, 6, 4—against Phillips, showcasing his mastery of the off-spinner’s lengths.
In contrast, Kamindu started the day cautiously after Mathews’ early departure.
He was more restrained during his partnership with De Silva, who quickly found his rhythm.
A six off Phillips signaled De Silva’s aggressive intent, complemented by multiple boundaries from sweeping shots, which even encouraged Kamindu to attempt a reverse sweep.
Just as the pair began to assert their dominance, De Silva fell victim to Phillips, marking the bowler’s second wicket of the session.
Kamindu secured his fifth Test century shortly after the break but faced a few close calls, surviving an LBW review, a missed stumping opportunity, and an overturned caught decision as the spinners began to find their rhythm.
Nevertheless, with Sri Lanka in a commanding position, he and Kusal shifted the pressure back onto the bowlers.
Phillips, who had been a consistent threat throughout the first session, struggled to maintain his effectiveness as Kamindu and Kusal began to attack.
This was in stark contrast to the effectiveness of Sri Lanka’s spinners, who made significant use of the turning pitch, with Prabath Jayasuriya claiming Devon Conway’s wicket at slip.
New Zealand, already reeling from Tom Latham’s dismissal—who edged a delivery from Asitha Fernando—found themselves in dire straits by the end of the day.
Leave a Reply