Kusal Mendis slams his maiden Test double-century: Key stats
Kusal Mendis smoked his maiden Test double-ton in the ongoing second and final Test against Ireland. The right-handed batter played with intent as he reached the milestone off just 263 deliveries. He became the third centurion of SL's first innings as the hosts posted 705/3d before asking Ireland to bat. Here we look at Mendis's stats in the longest format.
A well-paced knock from Mendis
Sri Lanka were off to a brilliant start as openers Nishan Madushka (205) and Dimuth Karunaratne (115) added 228 runs for the first wicket. Mendis arrived at number three and added another double-century stand with Madushka. The former was the aggressor in the partnership as he smothered runs for fun. He was finally dismissed for 245 from 291 balls.
A look at his stats
Mendis, who is standing in his 58th Test, has now raced to 3,938 runs at 37.50. Mendis now has nine Test tons, including his maiden double-ton. He has two tons versus Ireland. Meanwhile, the 28-year-old boasts 17 fifties in whites. Five of Mendis's nine Test tons have come at home as he averages just under 39 in Sri Lanka in 24 Tests.
Sensational run in 2023
Mendis has raced to 536 runs this year. In four games, Mendis has a stellar average of 89.33. The tally includes two tons and as many fifties. His strike rate in 2023 is 72.62. He is the second-highest scorer this year.
Most sixes by a Lankan batter in a solitary innings
Mendis smashed 18 fours and 11 sixes in his mammoth knock of 245. As per ESPNcricinfo, Mendis has broken the record for smashing the most number of sixes in a Test innings by a Sri Lankan. The 28-year-old surpassed the previous record held by Kumar Sangakkara, who slammed eight sixes in an innings against Bangladesh in 2014. Pakistan's Wasim Akram holds the record (12).
