The Sri Lankan team is currently playing a three-match ODI series against New Zealand. In the first match, Sri Lankan skipper Charith Aslanka won the toss and elected to bat first which proved correct. Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis performed brilliantly from Sri Lanka in this match. These players scored brilliant centuries and managed to impress with their batting.
Sri Lankan team rescued from crisis
Sri Lanka had a very poor start. While the young batsman Pathum Nisanka returned to the pavilion scoring only 12 runs. After this, Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis took the responsibility of scoring runs. These two players shared a partnership of 206 runs for the second wicket. Avishka scored 100 runs and Mendis scored 143 runs to get the team out of trouble. Kusal Mendis has been performing well in all three formats for Sri Lanka in recent times. Once he gets to the crease, it is difficult for any bowler to get him out.
A tie between Jayawardene and Jayasuriya
Both these players have repeated their 23-year-old feat with brilliant centuries. This is only the second time in ODI cricket that two Sri Lankan batsmen have scored centuries in an ODI match against New Zealand. Earlier in 2001, Sanath Jayasuriya (107) and Mahela Jayawardene (116) scored centuries for Sri Lanka in an ODI match against New Zealand. Now Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis have equaled these players.
Kusal Mendis did wonders
After an innings of 143 runs, Kusal Mendis became the second highest scorer in ODIs for the Sri Lankan team. The number one batsman is held by veteran batsman Kumar Sangakkara, who scored 169 against South Africa in 2013.
List of wicketkeepers with the highest innings in ODIs for Sri Lanka:
169 – Kumar Sangakkara, 2013
143 – Kusal Mendis, 2024
138* – Kumar Sangakkara, 2005
134* – Kumar Sangakkara, 2013
Thanks to Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis, the Sri Lankan team has scored 293 runs in 46 overs so far. Captain Charith Aslanka is present at the crease with 26 runs and Zenith Liyanag has scored 1 run. Jacob Duffy has taken 2 wickets for the Kiwi team. While Ish Sodhi and Glen Phillips have taken 1 wicket each.
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