Kusal Mendis, Avishka Fernando Hammer Twin Tons In SL Vs NZ 1st ODI
![Kusal Mendis hits his fourth ODI century [Source: @PoppingCreaseSA/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1731502287774_slc.jpg?im=Resize=(650,450))
Kusal Mendis hits his fourth ODI century [Source: @PoppingCreaseSA/x]
Sri Lanka overcame the early loss of opener Pathum Nissanka with a huge 206-run partnership between Avishka Fernando and wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis against New Zealand. Opening the innings for his team in the first ODI of their three-match series at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Fernando hammered down 100 runs from 115 balls with nine boundaries and two sixes to record his fourth ODI century.
Kusal Mendis, batting at number three, also notched up a century off his own at a much quicker pace to defy the visiting New Zealanders.
Fernando, Kusal Mendis tons pummel New Zealand
Both Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis recorded the fourth ODI centuries of their respective career through the course of their monumental 206-run partnership against New Zealand in Dambulla on Wednesday, November 13.
.jpg?im=Resize=(650,450))
Forming forces at 17-2 in 2.4 overs, Fernando flogged 100 runs from 115 balls before he was caught at mid-on by Will Young off Ish Sodhi to hand some respite to New Zealand off the very next delivery.
A couple of overs earlier in the innings, his senior partner and number three batter Kusal Mendis recorded his landmark figure from 102 balls with a single in the 37th over of the Sri Lankan innings.
Following the dismissal of Fernando, Kusal Mendis picked up the pace in lieu of the impending slog overs. By the end of the 45th over of the innings, the 29-year-old wicketkeeper-batter had already raged past his career-best score of 122. He was eventually dismissed at 143 from 128 balls with 17 boundaries and two maximums.
His innings also helped Sri Lanka blaze past the 300-run mark after captain Charith Asalanka had won the toss and opted to bat first.
.jpg?im=Resize=(650,450))
.jpg "Rohit Sharma In nets!")
