Sri Lankan cricket star Kamindu Mendis has cemented his place in the history books by equalling an extraordinary world Test record. He is now only the second cricketer to score 50+ runs in each of his first seven Test matches, an achievement only previously accomplished by Pakistan’s Saud Shakeel.
Mendis’ Record-Breaking Performance Against New Zealand
Mendis reached this incredible milestone during the first day of the opening Test against New Zealand in Galle, recording his eighth consecutive score of over 50 runs in Test cricket. By doing so, he has surpassed legendary cricketers such as Sunil Gavaskar (India), Saeed Ahmed (Pakistan), and Basil Butcher (West Indies), all of whom scored a half-century in each of their first six Test matches.
This achievement is the latest in a series of stellar performances by Mendis, who has demonstrated remarkable consistency at the international level. His achievement follows an impressive series in England, where he recorded scores of 2, 113, 74, 4, and 64. Mendis first made his Test debut against Australia in Galle in 2022, where he played a key role in Sri Lanka’s innings victory by scoring 61 runs.
Comeback Story: Mendis’ Resurgence After a Two-Year Gap
Despite his early success, Mendis did not feature in the Sri Lankan Test side for nearly two years. However, when he returned to the squad earlier this year for the Bangladesh series, he made a resounding statement with scores of 102 and 164 in the Sylhet Test, followed by an unbeaten 92 in Chattogram. His remarkable comeback highlights his resilience and ability to rise to the occasion, making him a key player in Sri Lanka’s cricketing future.
Partnerships That Matter: Mendis and Mathews Stabilize the Innings
In the ongoing Galle Test against New Zealand, Mendis brought up his fifty from 73 deliveries and formed a vital 72-run partnership with the experienced Angelo Mathews. Mathews had to return to the crease after retiring hurt earlier in the day due to a blow to his hand. Despite the challenges, the duo managed to stabilize Sri Lanka’s innings, guiding the team to a respectable position by the end of Day 1.
Mendis’ contribution of 61* was instrumental in driving Sri Lanka forward during the afternoon session, especially after a challenging start to the day. His composed and fluent batting provided stability as Sri Lanka lost key batters to soft dismissals, such as Dinesh Chandimal and Dhananjaya de Silva, early in the session.
Challenges from New Zealand’s Bowlers: O’Rourke’s Impact
New Zealand’s bowlers, led by William O’Rourke, made life difficult for Sri Lanka’s top order. O’Rourke, in particular, troubled both openers with his swing and seam movement, dismissing Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka early in the innings. Karunaratne was caught edging a back-of-length delivery, while Nissanka’s short but aggressive innings was ended by a well-directed inswinging yorker that knocked over his off-stump.
Chandimal and Mathews attempted to rebuild Sri Lanka’s innings, but O’Rourke continued his impactful spell, forcing Mathews to retire hurt after a painful blow to his hand. Despite these setbacks, Sri Lanka found stability through Mendis, whose batting seemed effortless as he took control of the innings.
Mendis Capitalizes on Opportunities: Aggressive and Confident Display
Kamindu Mendis received a lucky break when he was dropped on 21 by Glenn Phillips after a misjudged catch. However, Mendis capitalized on the opportunity, playing an aggressive and confident innings from that point forward. He showcased his skill by striking consecutive boundaries off New Zealand’s spinner Mitchell Santner, using reverse sweeps with precision. He also handled Ajaz Patel’s left-arm spin with ease, welcoming Patel back into the attack with a costly 13-run over.
Mendis brought up his half-century shortly after Sri Lanka crossed the 150-run mark, further asserting his dominance over the New Zealand bowlers. His composed knock continued to frustrate the opposition, as he showed remarkable maturity and control throughout the innings.
Ongoing Battle: Mathews vs O’Rourke
The on-field battle between Mathews and O’Rourke resumed shortly before tea, with O’Rourke bowling a fierce bouncer that was called a no-ball. Mathews struggled to find his rhythm against the fast bowler and eventually poked at a delivery unnecessarily, resulting in his dismissal just before the tea break.
Despite Mathews’ dismissal, Mendis remained focused and determined, ensuring that Sri Lanka ended the day on a solid footing. His unbeaten knock of 61* was the highlight of the day, as Sri Lanka reached 178/5 by the close of play, with Mendis eyeing his fourth Test century.
Conclusion: Kamindu Mendis’ Rise in Test Cricket
Kamindu Mendis has quickly emerged as one of Sri Lanka’s most reliable and promising Test cricketers. His ability to consistently score big runs and form crucial partnerships has made him an integral part of Sri Lanka’s Test lineup. By equalling Saud Shakeel’s record, Mendis has not only secured his place in the history of Test cricket but has also demonstrated that he has the potential to achieve even greater heights in the future.
As the Galle Test against New Zealand continues, all eyes will be on Mendis as he looks to convert his fifty into a century and lead Sri Lanka to a strong first-innings total. His performance will be critical as Sri Lanka seeks to gain an upper hand in the match, and Mendis’ journey in international cricket is only just beginning.