Twitter Reactions: Kamindu Mendis leads Sri Lanka fightback with scintillating ton against New Zealand on Day 1
Hosts Sri Lanka (SL) took on New Zealand (NZ) in the first Test of the series at the Galle International Stadium, in Galle, on (Wednesday) September 18. Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat first. They lost Dimuth Karunaratne in the fourth over and Pathum Nissanka followed suit scoring two and 27 runs, respectively. Veteran pair of Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews started building the partnership. The duo stitched a crucial 55-run stand for the third wicket to provide some recovery from early jolts.
Chandimal departed scoring 30 runs and Mathews played a draining innings of 36 runs using 116 deliveries. But it was Kamindu Mendis who was rock solid for the hosts in the middle order. He was well-partnered by Kusal Mendis after Dhananjaya de Silva walked back mustering just 11 runs. The duo put up 103 runs for the sixth wicket and positioned Sri Lanka in a better state. Kamindu dazzled with 114 off 173 and Kusal trudged back scoring 50 off 68.
However, at the end of Day 1, Sri Lanka’s innings read 302/7. Things were bleak for the hosts at the start thanks to the young New Zealand pacer, William O'Rourke. He plucked three wickets playing just his second Test and to add, a game away from home. He was well assisted by Glenn Phillips as the all-rounder chipped in with two scalps. The Lankan Lions will be hoping to cease the first session of Day 2 and put up a total, their bowlers will feel confident enough to express themselves.
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