NZ vs SL: Kusal Mendis' Stunning Innings Propels Sri Lanka to a Strong Position
Kusal Mendis missed out on a deserving ton [Twitter]
In an enthralling and gripping display of cricket that unfolded in Christchurch on Day 1, Sri Lanka outshone New Zealand on the opening day, notwithstanding the early loss of their opener, Oshada Fernando. Sri Lankan captain, Dimuth Karunaratne, and Kusal Mendis, displayed their artful and shrewd innings in the middle, propelling the team to the front foot at the close of play on Day 1, with their scoreboard reading an impressive 305/6.
How the day panned out
Having won the toss, the New Zealand skipper, Tim Southee, invited Sri Lanka to bat first, considering the green tinge on the wicket. Sri Lankan openers, Oshada Fernanado and Dimuth Karunaratne, faced an uphill task to combat a fierce four-pronged pace attack that included Southee, Matt Henry, Neil Wagner, and Blair Tickner, who recovered from back spasms in time to make the team.
The home team commenced the proceedings with gusto, utilizing the lively pitch to their advantage. The bowlers' hard work was rewarded with the dismissal of Fernando, who scored 13 runs off 31 deliveries before getting dismissed strangled down the leg side. With the greenish surface proving to be conducive to swing bowling, Sri Lankan batters had a tough challenge to overcome the opposition's steadfast pace attack.
The Sri Lankan captain and Mendis rose to the occasion and put on a display of fearless batting against the Kiwi bowlers, scoring at an impressive rate of 5 runs per over on a challenging surface. The Lankan No. 3 was particularly outstanding, smashing a remarkable fifty – the fastest ever by a visiting batter in Hagley Oval. With exquisite finesse, he took on the Kiwi bowling attack, leaving them reeling.
The Kiwis, feeling the pressure, lost their composure and began bowling erratically. However, their fortunes turned around quickly as both the Sri Lankan batsmen departed in quick succession during the second session. Karunaratne scored 50 off 87 balls before being dismissed by Matt Henry, while Mendis scored a stunning 87 off 83 balls with 16 boundaries before losing his wicket to the Kiwi captain.
The hosts were now sensing an opportunity to take more wickets and assert their dominance, but the experienced duo of Angelo Matthews and Dinesh Chandimal held firm, grinding out the bowling with calculated strokes.
NZ fightback
However, their resilience was short-lived as they lost their wickets in the third session to Henry and Southee, scoring 47 and 39 respectively. Wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella followed soon after, trapped in front of the wicket by Michael Bracewell for just 7 runs.
With the score at 268/6, the Kiwi pacers would have eager to finish off the tail, but another valuable partnership between Dhananjaya de Silva and Kasun Rajitha pushed the score past 300 runs. Southee picked up three wickets, while Henry and Bracewell bagged two and one wicket, respectively.
As the curtains drew on Day 1, the Sri Lankan side would be the happier side, having notched up a commendable total on the board. But they must be aware that the job is only half done, and their lower order would have to dig deep and add more runs to their tally to establish their authority.
Brief scores:
Sri Lanka: 305-6 (75)
Kusal Mendis 87 (83), Dimuth Karunaratne 50 (87)
Tim Southee 3-44, Matt Henry 2-65
 "Jatin")
