Aiming to extend their first innings tally, Angelo Mathews looked scratchy against Glenn Phillips and eventually got out to him in the 97th over, ending a 107-run stand. Dhananjaya de Silva came into the scene, assisting Kamindu in playing his natural game. The pair quickly brought up the fifty-run stand with the hosts inching near the 400-run mark. Right after, Phillips struck once again by getting the better of the Sri Lankan captain for 44 at the stroke of Lunch with 402/5 on board.
Under Kusal Mendis’ presence, Kamindu got to his fifth Test century in seven games at the start of the second session. Initially, Kusal played second fiddle to the centurion who was trying to attack the bowlers. With time, as the ball got older, Kusal smacked the spinners left, right, and center to steer Sri Lanka past the 500-run mark in the 144th over. With Tim Southee handed the ball before Tea, the pair negated him carefully with the score reflecting 519/5 in 149 overs.
The grind continued with the ball for the Kiwis as the Mendis tag team kept them at bay. However, Kamindu took the aggressor’s role and raced past the 150 runs mark in the third session with Kusal anchoring the innings until reaching his century with a six while staying on 99*. Subsequently, the duo touched the 600-run mark with a six off Kamindu, also bringing up the double hundred partnership before Dhananjaya summoned for declaration with 602 runs on board.
In reply, New Zealand got off to a shaky start after Tom Latham nicked one to a flying slip fielder in the first over itself. While Asitha Fernando mixed some poor deliveries with peach stuff, the finger spinners kept things tight for the remainder of the day with Prabath Jayasuriya tasting success over Devon Conway amidst a controversial catch. Nightwatchman Ajaz Patel was successful in withstanding the opposition attack with Kane Williamson with the score 22/2 at Stumps.
— Arijit Shanto (@ArijitShan18431) September 27, 2024
This is history now
Brain dead
Ahsan raza.. this absolute braindead of a umpire should be sacked from ICC panel of umpires.. He is a blunder and a blind khunt..#SLvsNZ
— DallRounder (@AhlRounder) September 27, 2024
The amount of replays who show it was a clear edge and not LBW. That was a quick review on catch cleanly taken, he barely got his fingers under the ball #SLvsNZ .
— Abhishek Srivastava (@sriabh) September 27, 2024
Feeling for him
Burning reveiews
It was a clear spike. This is how teams just burnt their reviews. Review should be challenge based on a perfect decision. Emotionally will affect the team. #SLvsNZ #NZvsSL #TestCricket #Blackcaps #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/mVuT6h4aan
— sreekar 🇮🇳🇦🇺sports agent (@nyalkalkars) September 27, 2024
Shocking decision by the umpire #SLvsNZ
— Taylorwiz (@shermswiztaylor) September 27, 2024
Joined elite club
Kamindu Mendis joins the elite club of reaching 1000 runs in 13 innings and equals Don Bradman.
Fastest is 12 innings and since 1949 Kamindu Mendis is the fastest to reach this milestone.#SLvNZ #NZvSL #SLvsNZ— Abhi aks (@abhiaks9231) September 27, 2024
Was it out?
Was it a catch really? #SLvsNZ
— Pasindu Amantha (@PasinduAma53895) September 27, 2024
SL has shown the real value of this overrated NZ team. #SLvNZ #NZvSL #SLvsNZ
— Abhi aks (@abhiaks9231) September 27, 2024
