The opening day of the 1st Test between Sri Lanka and New Zealand at Galle provided an enthralling spectacle, with Sri Lanka pulling ahead thanks to Kamindu Mendis’ brilliant century. Despite a disciplined bowling effort from the Kiwis, Sri Lanka finished the day on a strong note at 302 for 7. Kamindu’s hundred, along with a crucial half-century from Kusal Mendis, were the highlights of the day as Sri Lanka fought back from a tricky position. Let’s dive into the key moments of the day’s play and how both sides battled it out.
Kamindu Mendis’ Ton: The Anchor for Sri Lanka
Kamindu Mendis played a remarkable knock of 114 off 173 balls, marking his fourth Test century. He was the glue that held the Sri Lankan innings together, especially after early wickets had put the hosts under pressure. The stylish left-hander exhibited exceptional composure, and his innings was punctuated with well-timed boundaries and brilliant footwork against the spinners.
Kamindu’s innings wasn’t just about runs, but also about partnerships. His 72-run stand with Angelo Mathews helped stabilize the innings after New Zealand’s early breakthroughs. Later, his partnership with Kusal Mendis for 103 runs turned the momentum in Sri Lanka’s favor. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Kamindu’s calm approach helped the hosts regain control after a shaky start.
New Zealand’s Bowling Prowess
New Zealand’s bowlers, led by Will O’Rourke, put up a strong fight, especially in the first session. O’Rourke’s menacing spell in the morning saw him claim the wickets of both Sri Lankan openers, Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka, within the first hour. His pace, bounce, and lateral movement troubled the Sri Lankan batsmen, and his efforts yielded figures of 3 for 54 by the end of the day.
Glenn Phillips was the pick of the spinners, taking 2 for 52. His sharp turn and bounce posed problems for the Sri Lankan middle order, and he was rewarded with the wickets of Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis. Mitchell Santner, although wicketless, bowled with discipline and was unlucky not to pick up a scalp, having created several chances throughout the day.
The Mendis Partnership: A Turning Point
While Kamindu Mendis anchored one end, it was Kusal Mendis’ quickfire 50 off 68 balls that brought much-needed energy into the Sri Lankan innings. After Angelo Mathews’ dismissal, Sri Lanka was in a precarious position at 106 for 4. However, Kusal’s aggressive approach, coupled with Kamindu’s stability, allowed Sri Lanka to build a healthy total.
Kusal’s half-century was filled with attacking strokes, and his ability to rotate the strike kept the New Zealand bowlers on their toes. His partnership with Kamindu was vital in swinging the momentum back towards Sri Lanka. Although Kusal’s dismissal was somewhat unlucky—caught after a pull shot rebounded off the short leg fielder—his innings had already set Sri Lanka on the path to a respectable total.
Late Wickets Keep New Zealand in the Game
While Sri Lanka appeared to be in control for most of the day, New Zealand struck back with some crucial late wickets, ensuring the game remains finely balanced. Kamindu Mendis’ dismissal, caught off the glove by a ball that kicked up out of the rough, was a particularly important moment for the Kiwis. The fact that the pitch was beginning to show signs of variable bounce will certainly give New Zealand’s left-hand heavy batting line-up something to think about when their turn to bat comes.
Ramesh Mendis and Prabath Jayasuriya, unbeaten at stumps, will need to push Sri Lanka towards a total of around 350 on Day 2 if they are to gain a solid upper hand in the match.
FAQs
Kamindu Mendis was the standout player for Sri Lanka, scoring a brilliant 114 off 173 balls and anchoring the innings.
New Zealand’s bowlers, led by Will O’Rourke with 3 wickets, put in a disciplined performance, keeping Sri Lanka from taking complete control of the game.
The key partnership was between Kamindu Mendis and Kusal Mendis, who put on 103 runs for the fifth wicket, helping Sri Lanka recover from early setbacks.
The pitch at Galle showed signs of variable bounce, especially out of the rough, which troubled the batsmen as the day progressed. This will likely play a bigger role as the match goes on.
Sri Lanka will look to push past 350, while New Zealand will aim to wrap up the innings quickly. The pitch conditions will make batting challenging, especially against the spinners.
Conclusion
The first day of the Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Test in Galle was a gripping contest, with Kamindu Mendis’ century standing out as the defining moment. While New Zealand’s bowlers kept the pressure on with late wickets, Sri Lanka managed to post a competitive total thanks to key partnerships. As the match progresses, both sides will have to adapt to a pitch that is beginning to show its tricky nature. Day 2 promises more excitement, with the game hanging in the balance.
