Wed Sep 18 23:11:48 UTC 2024: ## Kamindu Mendis’ Century Rescues Sri Lanka on Day 1 of Galle Test

**Galle, Sri Lanka:** Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis struck a courageous century on Wednesday, guiding the hosts to a respectable 302/7 at stumps on the first day of the first Test against New Zealand. The innings came after a shaky start for Sri Lanka, who slumped to 106/4 just after lunch.

Mendis, who was named Player of the Series during Sri Lanka’s recent tour of England, steadied the ship with a calm and confident performance. He reached his century in the penultimate over of the day, before being dismissed for 114 by Ajaz Patel.

“It’s a special hundred this one, as this came in my hometown,” said Mendis, who is playing his seventh Test match and has already scored four centuries and four half-centuries in his career.

Sri Lanka were in trouble at tea, at 178/5. However, a crucial 103-run partnership between Mendis and Kusal Mendis (55) resurrected the innings.

New Zealand’s rookie fast bowler William O’Rourke had earlier impressed, taking two wickets in the first session. The Kiwis also benefitted from a bizarre dismissal of Kusal Mendis, who was caught at short leg after the ball deflected off Tom Latham.

Despite a strong start, O’Rourke acknowledged Sri Lanka’s fightback. “Honours are pretty even at the end of day one,” he said. “Credit to the Sri Lankan batters to get themselves back into the game.”

New Zealand will look to make early inroads on Thursday, aiming to bowl Sri Lanka out quickly and get their own innings underway.

This series carries significant World Test Championship points, with New Zealand currently third on the table, behind India and Australia. Sri Lanka sit in fifth place. The first Test, held in Galle, will have a rest day on Saturday due to the Sri Lankan presidential election. The second Test will also be played in Galle, starting on September 26th.

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