Kusal Mendis registers his 19th fifty in Tests: Key stats
What's the story
Sri Lanka cricket team batter Kusal Mendis did an able job with a fine fifty on Day 1 of the first Test against New Zealand in Galle. Mendis walked in when his side was 178/5 after the dismissal of Angelo Mathews. Mendis joined hands with Kamindu Mendis and the two added 103 runs for the 6th wicket. Sri Lanka are 302/7 at stumps.
Knock
Mendis shines for Sri Lanka
Mendis came at a crucial phase with his side struggling, having lost half the side. He used his experience and played quality cricket to bail his side out. With an in-form Kamindu alongside, Mendis brought calmness and handled spinners well. The partnership helped Sri Lanka gain momentum. Mendis faced 68 balls for his 50. He smashed 7 fours.
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An unlucky dismissal ends Mendis' stay
However, Mendis was finally dismissed right after getting to a fifty. Mendis was unlucky after dispatching a poor ball which lobbed up after hitting the arm of the fielder at short-leg. Glenn Phillips was the one who dismissed Mendis.
Runs
Mendis hits his 5th Test fifty vs NZ
Playing his 66th match (123 innings), Mendis has amassed 4,239 runs at 35.62. In addition to nine tons, he has slammed 19 fifties. As per ESPNcricinfo, in nine matches versus New Zealand, Mendis owns 672 runs at 42. This was his 5th fifty versus NZ (100s: 1). Mendis is closing in on 2,000 Test runs in Asia (1,957) at 38.37 (100s: 5, 50s: 7).
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27th fifty for Mendis in FC cricket
In 101 First-Class games (180 innings), Mendis has raced to 6,631 runs at an average of 38-plus. In addition to 17 hundreds, Mendis now owns 27 fifties in FC cricket.