Kamindu Mendis hundred helps Sri Lanka recover in Manchester Test
Kamindu Mendis scored a scintillating century on day four of the 1st Test match between England and Sri Lanka at the Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester on August 24, Saturday. Mendis has started off his career for Sri Lanka on a great note as he promises to be a bright prospect for the island nation’s team.
This was his third Test hundred in only his fourth outing for Sri Lanka. Kamindu also joined an elite list of Asian batters with this memorable knock. He became only the seventh Asian batter to score a hundred while batting at 7 or below on English soil. The list included the likes of Sandeep Patil, Rishabh Pant, Anil Kumble, Kapil Dev, Ajit Agarkar and Ravindra Jadeja.
Kamindu got to 100 off 167 balls
Kamindu battled hard to secure a substantial lead for his team and achieved a century in 167 deliveries. He batted with determination and remained calm under pressure, ultimately rescuing the team from a difficult situation. Kamindu came out to bat following the captain Dhananjaya de Silva’s wicket in the 26th’
Kamindu found himself in a difficult position as Sri Lanka were struggling at 95 for four. He initiated the process of forming a partnership with Angelo Mathews. England bowlers appeared fatigued towards the end of day three play as they pushed the lead beyond 100. Mendis and Mathews were lucky as they had their catches dropped off Matthew Potts’ deliveries. Nevertheless, Chris Woakes ended their partnership of 78 runs.
He stylishly reached his third half-century in Test matches with a boundary off a delivery by Chris Woakes. Later, Dinesh Chandimal joined him on the field after returning from being retired hurt because of a thumb injury. The pair finished day three with a slim 82-run advantage and began day four positively, capitalizing on Mark Wood’s absence due to a thigh injury.