Kamindu Mendis hammers his fifth Test ton, scripts records
Sri Lanka's Run Machine Kamindu Mendis continued his purple patch in Tests. Mendis smashed his fifth century while batting against New Zealand in the 2nd Test in Galle. He reached the three-figure mark on Day 2. Mendis formed a century-plus stand with Angelo Mathews, who departed for 88. He also shared another massive stand alongside Kusal Mendis. SL managed 602/5d. Here's more.
A 147-ball ton for Mendis
Mendis came to the middle on Day 1, after the top order laid a solid platform for Sri Lanka (221/3). He joined forces with Mathews as the duo returned unbeaten at stumps. While Mathews departed in the first session on Day 2, Mendis completed his ton shortly after lunch. The left-handed batter brought up his century off 147 balls.
1,000 runs for Mendis in Test cricket
Mendis remained unbeaten on 182 from 250 balls. He slammed 16 fours and four sixes. He shared a telling 200*-run stand for the sixth wicket alongside Kusal Mendis, who was unscathed on 106. Mendis has now surpassed 1,000 runs in the longest format for Sri Lanka. He owns 1,004 runs at an average of 91.27. He also surpassed 100 fours (104).
Five tons in 13 Test innings
Mendis is off to an outstanding start in Test cricket. He has raced to five centuries in just 13 Test innings. The Lankan batter has two tons each against Bangladesh and New Zealand as well as one against England. His tally also includes four half-centuries. In the ongoing series versus NZ, he has slammed 309 runs at 154.50.
50+ scores in most consecutive Tests from debut
As mentioned, Mendis now has 50+ scores in most consecutive Tests for a player from debut. Mendis has at least one fifty-plus score in each of his first eight Tests as of now. He surpassed Pakistan's Saud Shakeel, who achieved this feat in seven Tests. Bert Sutcliffe, Saeed Ahmed, Basil Butcher, and Sunil Gavaskar have done so six times.
Three tons away from home
It is worth noting that three of Mendis's five Test tons have come in away conditions. A look at his Test scores so far - 61, 102, 164, 92*, 9, 12, 113, 74, 4, 64, 114, 13, and 182* (ongoing).
Fastest Asian batter to five Test hundreds
Mendis, who scored 114 and 13 in the first clash versus NZ, became the fastest Asian batter to five Test hundreds. He broke the record held by Pakistan's Fawad Alam (22 innings). Mendis is now the joint-fourth fastest batter in the all-time list to five Test centuries. Mendis went level with Don Bradman and George Headley by scoring his fifth Test hundred (13 innings).
