2nd Test: Kamindu Mendis shines with solid 74 versus England
What's the story
Sri Lanka cricket team batter Kamindu Mendis was the lone warrior for his side against England on Day 2 of the second Test at Lord's. Mendis scored a valuable 74-run knock in Sri Lanka's score of 196 after England were bowled out for 427. England resumed Day 2 on 358/7 before adding another 69 runs. Lanka faltered thereafter with Mendis being the saving grace.
Knock
Lone warrior for Sri Lanka
Mendis came to bat when the visitors were 83/5 after 20.4 overs. He held his fort from one end but his side kept losing wickets. Mendis offered resistance in the Sri Lankan line-up and he put value to his wicket. A 42-run stand alongside Lahiru Kumara for the ninth wicket was crucial. Mendis was the last man to depart with Gus Atkinson dismissing him.
Runs
Mendis averages 89.57 in Tests
Mendis' 74 was laced with eight fours and three sixes. He consumed 120 deliveries. Playing his 5th Test, Mendis has raced to 627 runs at a splendid average of 89.57. In addition to three centuries, Mendis has hammered three fifties. In the previous Test, he scored 12 and 113 in Manchester. In three innings versus England, he has 199 runs at 66.33.
Information
Mendis joins these elite set of batters
As per Cricbuzz, Mendis is already one of the seven batters to have aggregated 600-plus runs from first five Tests, alongside Sunil Gavaskar (831), George Headley (714), Harry Brook (623), Devon Conway (623), Conrad Hunte (622) and Don Bradman (607).