Sri Lanka pip NZ in closely-fought 1st Test: Stats
Sri Lanka defeated New Zealand in the opening Test match at the Galle International Stadium. It was a close affair as the Kiwis fought well while chasing a challenging 275. Rachin Ravindra led the chase with a remarkable 92-run knock. Meanwhile, it was a team effort from the hosts, who saw five batters register 50-plus scores in the match. Here are the key stats.
How did the game pan out?
Riding on Kamindu Mendis's century, SL posted 305/10 batting first as William O'Rourke claimed a fifer. NZ posted 340/10 in response thanks to fifties from Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, and Daryl Mitchell. Dimuth Karunaratne's 83 powered SL to 309/10 in their second outing. Ajaz Patel dismissed six batters. Chasing 275 for win, NZ fought well but eventually bundled out for 211.
A solid hundred from Kamindu
Kamindu scored 114 runs from 173 balls in the first innings. In 12 Test innings, Kamindu has raced to four hundreds. He also owns four fifties. That's eight scores of fifty-plus in 11 innings. As per ESPNcricinfo, he has amassed a total of 822 runs at an average of 74.72. This was his maiden Test vs NZ.
Mendis hits his 5th Test fifty vs NZ
Kusal Mendis faced 68 balls for his 50 in the first innings. Playing his 66th match, Mendis has raced to 4,262 runs at 35.51. In addition to nine tons, he has slammed 19 fifties. As per ESPNcricinfo, in nine matches versus New Zealand, Mendis owns 695 runs at 40.88. This was his 5th fifty versus NZ (100s: 1).
2nd five-wicket haul for O'Rourke in Tests
Pacer William O'Rourke recorded figures of 5/55 in his first outing before managing 3/49 in his second. The 23-year-old pacer has featured in three Tests (six innings) and has already raced to 19 scalps at an average of 15.53. This was his second fifer in the format.
Latham shines against SL yet again
Tom Latham scored 70 from 111 balls in NZ's first innings. He has now raced past 5,500 (now 5,516) Test runs at 39.97. This was his 29th fifty in Tests. He also owns 13 tons. As per ESPNcricinfo, in 11 matches versus SL, Latham has amassed 1,137 runs at 66.88. This was his 2nd fifty versus SL. He owns four tons as well.
Williamson registers his 35th half-century in Tests
Kane Williamson scored a fine half-century in NZ's first innings, 55 from 104 balls. Playing his 101st Test, Williamson has raced to 8,828 runs at 54.83. In addition to 32 hundreds, he has clobbered 35 fifties. As per ESPNcricinfo, Williamson averages 74.42 versus the Lankans, having amassed 1,414 runs from 23 innings. This was his sixth fifty (100s: 5).
Mitchell slams his 11th half-century
Daryl Mitchell made 57 off 86 balls in his first outing. Mitchell has raced to 1,673 runs at an average of 49.20 in Test cricket. This was his 11th fifty. He owns five hundreds as well. As per ESPNcricinfo, in three matches versus Sri Lanka, the star all-rounder owns 265 runs at 53. This was his 2nd fifty against SL (100s: 1).
Karunaratne surpasses 1,000 Test runs versus NZ
Karunaratne faced 127 balls for 83 in his second outings. The southpaw has raced to 7,092 Test runs at 40.52. This was his 39th fifty (100s: 16). As per ESPNcricinfo, he has surpassed 1,000 Test runs versus NZ (1,032 at 44.86). This was his 8th fifty versus NZ (100s: 2). Karunaratne also surpassed 15,500 (now 15,513) First-Class runs. This was his 71st FC fifty.
Chandimal surpasses 4,000 Test runs in Asia
Dinesh Chandimal managed 61 off 150 balls during SL's second innings. He has raced to 5,747 Test runs at 42.88. Chandimal slammed his 29th Test fifty (100s: 15). As per ESPNcricinfo, he has slammed 611 runs at 40.73 versus New Zealand (50s: 6). Chandimal also surpassed 4,000 Test runs in Asia (4,051 at 48.22). He has 18 fifties and 13 tons in Asia.
A brilliant six-wicket haul for Ajaz
Ajaz claimed 2/60 in the first innings and followed it up with 6/90 from 30 overs. He has now raced to 70 wickets from 17 matches at an average of 28.50. He claimed his 5th five-wicket haul. In five matches versus Sri Lanka, Ajaz owns 17 scalps at 27.82. All of his five-wicket hauls have come in Asia.
Third Test fifty for Ravindra
Ravindra ended up scoring 92 off 168 balls, having smoked nine fours and a six. This was his third Test fifty as he also owns a century. Having played eight Tests, the southpaw has raced to 650 runs at 43.33, as per ESPNcricinfo. Meanwhile, he has completed 3,230 First-Class runs, averaging 40-plus (100s: 7, 50s: 15).
Jayasuriya claims his eighth Test fifer
Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya claimed nine wickets across the match and finished the second innings with figures of 5/68. Jayasuriya claimed 4/136 in his first outing. As per ESPNcricinfo, the star spinner recorded his eighth Test fifer as he has raced to 88 wickets in 15 Tests at 29.27 13 of his wickets have come against NZ at 32.92.
