Kamindu further endorses his credentials with top-notch century

 Kamindu Mendis celebrates his 4th century in 7 Tests

Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis during their 

103-run stand for sixth wicket

William O’Rourke made early dents in Lankan batting with three wickets

• Sri Lanka on top on challenging Galle surface

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Kamindu Mendis once again endorsed his growing reputation as a top-quality batsman scoring his fourth century in only his 7th Test to put Sri Lanka in a strong position at the end of the first day of the first cricket Test against New Zealand on a challenging surface at the Galle Cricket International Stadium yesterday.

After the New Zealand bowlers had dominated the first two sessions of play grabbing five wickets for 178, Sri Lanka crawled themselves back into the game riding on a century partnership of 103 between Kamindu Mendis and Kusal Mendis who in his new position at number 7 scored an attractive 50 off 68 balls (7 fours).

The two Mendis’ took the attack to the New Zealand bowlers and dispatched anything that was remotely loose. Despite there being turn and bounce on offer for the spinners throughout the day, the two Mendis’ piled the pressure back on the visitors and it was only towards the end of the day that they fell.

Kusal was out in dramatic fashion, his pull shot bouncing off Tom Latham at short leg for Tim Southee to dive and hold onto the catch at mid-on and give part-time spinner Glenn Phillips his second wicket. Kamindu was out to an unplayable ripper from Ajaz Patel which took his glove and lobbed to slip. He was the star of the day. Pushed up the order to No. 5. Kamindu batted with exemplary poise to notch up his first Test century on home soil and at his hometown, scoring 114 off 173 balls (11 fours).

The day started with a brilliant new ball spell from Will O’Rourke who had the Sri Lankan batters in all sorts of trouble with his extra zip and bounce. O’Rourke accounted for both openers early – Dimuth Karunaratne (2) with a back of a length delivery that nipped away sharply for wicket-keeper Tom Blundell to hold onto the edge and the inform Prabath Nissanka (27) with a beautiful inswinging yorker that dipped on the batsman giving him no chance to get the bat down. He forced Angelo Mathews to retire hurt at 12 when the batsman copped a stinging blow on his right index finger. Even though Mathews returned at the fall of the fourth wicket he never looked comfortable and finally with his score on 36 off 116 balls succumbed to O’Rourke on the stroke of tea edging a catch to Blundell.

New Zealand continued their domination in the afternoon session picking up a further three wickets. Dinesh Chandimal who batted through the morning session for 30 was out in the first over after lunch chipping a catch to square leg. Phillips sent back the Sri Lankan Captain Dhananjaya de Silva in his very first over with one that ripped through the gate. Mathews built up a steady partnership of 72 with Kamindu Mendis, before his eventual dismissal.

O’Rourke bowled 17 overs in tough conditions and was duly rewarded for his efforts with three wickets. His extra pace and bounce troubled all the batsmen and he looked a threat whenever he was called upon.