Sri Lanka (SL) continued their dominance over New Zealand (NZ) on Day 2 of the second Test of the series, being played at the Galle International Stadium, on Friday, September 27. At Stumps, the tourists are trailing by Lankan Lions’ first innings score by another 580 runs after having lost two wickets early on.
Day 2 began on a bright note for New Zealand as they got the wicket of Angelo Mathews, who fell 12 runs short of his 17th Test ton. However, Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva joined the in-form Kamindu Mendis, who had already notched up his eighth Test half-century on the previous day, and the two right-handed batters added 74 runs off 132 balls for the fifth wicket.
After de Silva was dismissed for 44, Kusal Mendis joined forces with Kamindu and they added an unbeaten stand of 200 runs off just 276 balls before Sri Lanka declared at 602/5 in the final session. Kusal started his innings with a subdued approach even as Kamindu kept the scoreboard ticking with his assured batting. The latter slammed his fifth Test ton in just his 13th innings, a feat that the legendary Don Bradman had achieved during his illustrious career.
Kusal gradually started playing his shots and eventually slammed his 10th Test century off just 148 balls. Kamindu went from strength to strength after getting to his century and eventually finished unbeaten on 182* off 250 balls, hitting 16 fours and four sixes. Meanwhile, Kusal remained not out of 106* off 149 balls before the declaration came.
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Sri Lankan bowlers came out all guns blazing against the New Zealand batters, who would have been tired after fielding for almost 164 overs. Asitha Fernando used the overcast conditions to good effect and accounted for the wicket of Tom Latham in the first over itself. Fellow opener Devon Conway struggled during his 21-ball stay at the crease, eventually becoming Prabath Jayasuriya’s 10th victim in the series. Kane Williamson and the nightwatchman, Ajaz Patel, batted the remaining overs left in the day as the Kiwis finished at 22/2.
Here’s how the fans reacted to Day 2 of the SL vs NZ Test:
Highest Test totals v New Zealand:
660-5d – WI – Wellington 1995
643 – Pak – Lahore 2002
621-5d – SA – Auckland 1999
616-5d – Pak – Auckland 1989
607-6d – Aus – Brisbane 1993
602-5d – SL – Galle 2024
595-8d – Ban – Wellington 2017
593-6d – Eng – Auckland 1975#SLvNZ
— Arthur_S (@allanholloway) September 27, 2024
Kamindu Mendis is definitely having a dream run of Debut in Test Cricket.
Really hope he utilizes this platform with his talent and shine.
Sri Lanka have had so many talents wasted recently after the retirement of Stalwarts.#SLvNZ #SLvsNZ
— Leo (@rant_king0630) September 27, 2024
A brilliant day in the office for Sri Lanka,New Zealand have a mammoth task to respond for the total Sri Lanka have posted.
Congratulations to Kamindu Mendis for his epic record and Kusal Mendis for his excellent century👏❤
Day3 moving day of the test ahead🍿🔥#SLvNZ
— Mohamed Azam (@MohamedAzam21) September 27, 2024
Kamindu Mendis has had a crazy start to his Test career! 1004 runs in 8 matches (13 innings) at an unbelievable average of 91.27 with 4 fifties and 5 centuries! This can only happen in dreams! CRAZY!
Unfortunately, it is downhill from here unless he is the next Bradman! #SLvNZ
— Shubham Kulkarni (@CricKulks) September 27, 2024
Kane Williamson (6*) to resume on day three with nightwatchman Ajaz Patel, following a big day of batting by the hosts. Latham & Conway the men to fall in reply. #SLvNZ pic.twitter.com/q33lpvU9Cv
— New Zealand Cricket (@NZCricket42) September 27, 2024
Karunaratne, Chandimal, Mathews, Dhananjaya, Kusal
Current Sri Lanka XI has five players with ten or more Test hundreds now!!
India also had five players in the XI with ten or more Test hundreds previously: Sachin, Dravid, Sehwag, Ganguly, Laxman.#SLvNZ #NZvSL https://t.co/TLC16IUqEG
— Ajinkya Dhamdhere (@ajinkyasd) September 27, 2024
THE HISTORIC MOMENT IN TEST CRICKET HISTORY….
– Kamindu Mendis joined fastest 1000 runs in Test cricket history in 2nd Test Match vs new zealand at Galle..🥶#SLvNZ
pic.twitter.com/CWtLO0Qqbw
— MANU. (@Manojy9812) September 27, 2024
STUMPS DAY 2!
Sri Lanka dominate with 602/5, thanks to Kamindu Mendis (182), Dinesh Chandimal (116) and Kusal Mendis (106). New Zealand in trouble at 22/2, losing 2 early wickets. Sri Lanka firmly on top #SLvNZ #WTC25 #Cricket pic.twitter.com/oQtdACMw9c
— Muhammad Areeb Uddin Sheikh. #AreebCricketWorld (@areeb_7official) September 27, 2024
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