Galle: Sri Lankan middle-order batter Kamindu Mendis hit his fourth century in just his seventh Test match during the first Test against New Zealand in Galle. Mendis’ 114 runs from 173 balls on Wednesday helped Sri Lanka recover from a precarious 106/4 to a stronger 302/7 by the end of the day.
According to International Cricket Council, Mendis, positioned at No. 5 following his successful tour in England, was instrumental in stabilizing the Sri Lankan innings. His performance marked a significant milestone, as he has now scored a fifty or more in each of his first seven Test matches, equalling the record set by Pakistan’s Saud Shakeel last year. Mendis now joins an elite list of batters who have shown exceptional consistency from the outset of their Test careers.
This century in Galle, Mendis’ hometown and where he attended Richmond College, held special significance for him. Despite his personal achievement, Mendis expressed a desire to contribute even more substantially to the team’s efforts. His innings ended when he was caught in the slip cordon off an Ajaz Patel delivery.
Mendis’ remarkable start in Test cricket includes 809 runs in 11 innings, averaging 80.9, the second highest after Sir Donald Bradman among batters with at least 10 innings. In the current World Test Championship cycle, he boasts the highest average, with 748 runs at 83.11, including four centuries.
His debut was marked by a 61 against Australia in 2022, and he has maintained formidable form since, with notable performances in Bangladesh and England that have solidified his reputation as a key player in Sri Lanka’s Test lineup.