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Kamindu takes charge as Sri Lanka closes day one at 302/7

Kamindu Mendis once again showed great form, scoring his fourth Test century as Sri Lanka finished the first day of the first Test against New Zealand at 302 for 7 wickets at the Galle International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Batting at number five, Kamindu made his first century at Galle in just seven matches. The 25-year-old left-hander now has four fifties and four centuries. He first scored his debut fifty against Australia in 2022 at this same venue and has now established himself in Test cricket with consistent performances.

Sri Lanka reached 88 for 2 at lunch. Pathum Nissanka scored 27 from 25 balls with five boundaries, while captain Dimuth Karunaratne was dismissed for just 2. Both wickets were taken by 23-year-old fast bowler William O’Rourke.

Kamindu completed his fifty off 73 balls, with six fours, and built a 72-run fifth-wicket partnership with Angelo Mathews, who retired hurt before lunch. Mathews returned to bat after Dhananjaya de Silva was dismissed for 11 by Glenn Phillips. Mathews fell for 36 off 116 balls, with three boundaries, and Sri Lanka was 178 for 5 at tea.