Kamindu Mendis plays a shot

Dinesh Chandimal celebrates his century

Angelo Mathews in action (Pix by Kushan Pathiraja)

By M. Shamil Amit reporting from Galle

Dinesh Chandimal continued his dominance with the bat as he cracked a fine century, which helped Sri Lanka dominate day one against New Zealand in the second Test match played at the Galle Stadium yesterday.

Chandimal following his half century in the first Test cracked 116, his 16th Test century and his sixth at the Galle Stadium. Later, Angelo Mathews and Kamindu Mendis cracked half centuries to bolster Sri Lanka’s score.

Chandimal, who came into bat at number three after the dismissal of Pathum Nissanka, propelled the hosts to end the day on 306 for three after they had elected to bat first.

Chandimal was also associated in two fruitful partnerships and together with Dimuth Karunaratne the pair helped Sri Lanka go into the lunch break on 102 for one.

The pair added 122 runs for the second wicket before Karunaratne was left stranded attempting a single.

Chandimal joined by Angelo Mathews continued to frustrate the New Zealand bowlers as they put on the 50-run stand for the third wicket.

Thereafter, Chandimal raced to his century off 171 balls that comprised 13 boundaries as Sri Lanka went into the tea break in a strong position of 194 for two.

The post tea proceedings saw the pair adding a further 27 runs before Chandimal’s innings came to an end having made 116 which had 15 boundaries and was associating in a 97-run stand for the third wicket with Mathews. 

Mathews joined by man-in-form Kamindu Mendis added salt to New Zealand’s wounds as the pair further frustrated the New Zealand bowlers with Mathews reaching his half century and then shared their 50-run stand for the fourth wicket.

Mendis raced to his half century in 53 balls which had eight boundaries and a six and the duo have shared an unbroken stand of 85 runs for the fourth wicket.