Kusal Mendis And Avishka Fernando
The Sri Lankan team is currently playing a three-match ODI series against New Zealand. In the first match, Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka won the toss and decided to bat first, which proved to be correct. Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis performed brilliantly for Sri Lanka in this match. These players have scored excellent centuries and have been successful in impressing with their batting.
Sri Lankan team rescued from crisis
Sri Lanka had a very bad start. When young batsman Pathum Nissanka returned to the pavilion after scoring just 12 runs. After this Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis took the responsibility of scoring runs. These two players made 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 for Sri Lanka in all three formats for some time now. Once he is at the crease, it is difficult for any bowler to get him out.
Equalized between Jayawardene and Jayasuriya
Both these players have repeated their 23 year old feat with the help of excellent 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 the year 2001, Sanath Jayasuriya (107) and Mahela Jayawardene (116) had scored centuries for Sri Lanka in the ODI match against New Zealand. Now Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis have equaled these players.
Kusal Mendis did wonders
After playing an inning of 143 runs, Kusal Mendis has become the wicketkeeper making the second highest score in ODI for the Sri Lankan team. The number one batsman is occupied by veteran batsman Kumar Sangakkara, who played an innings of 169 runs against South Africa in 2013.
List of wicketkeepers who played the biggest innings in ODI for Sri Lanka:
169 – Kumar Sangakkara, 2013
143 – Kusal Mendis, 2024
138* – Kumar Sangakkara, 2005
134* – Kumar Sangakkara, 2013
Due to Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis, the Sri Lankan team has so far scored 293 runs in 46 overs. Captain Charith Asalanka is present at the crease after scoring 26 runs and Zenith Liyanage has scored 1 run. Jacob Duffy has taken 2 wickets for the Kiwi team. Whereas Ish Sodhi and Glenn Phillips have taken 1-1 wicket.
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