10 March,2023 09:51 AM IST | Christchurch | AFP
SL’s Kusal Mendis in full flow against NZ yesterday. Pic/AFP
Kusal Mendis made a lively 87 off 83 balls to put tourists Sri Lanka in the driving seat at 305-6 after the opening day of the first Test against New Zealand on Thursday.
At stumps, Dhananjaya de Silva was unbeaten on 39 with Kasun Rajitha contributing 16 to an unbroken seventh wicket stand of 35. New Zealand captain Tim Southee won the toss in Christchurch, where conditions were ripe for his seam attack to strike, but instead it was Sri Lanka's band of classy batsmen who dominated.
It is a must-win Test for Sri Lanka to keep their World Test Championship hopes alive, but veteran batsman Angelo Mathews said Mendis attacked as if he was playing an explosive game of Twenty20.
Also read: New Zealand hope 'record-breaker' Kane Williamson is ready for first Test vs Sri Lanka
ALSO READ
IND vs BAN 1st Test: Bangladesh all out for 149 in first innings
Bumrah in lead role as India reduce Bangladesh to 112/8 at tea on Day 2
"You saw his magic just few months ago": Sarfaraz praises this Indian cricketer
"Seemed an inning without purpose": Former India cricketer on KL Rahul
Travis Head steers Australia to seven-wicket win over England in 1st ODI
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever