Sri Lanka star Kamindu Mendis breaks Vinod Kambli’s 30-year record and equals Don Bradman in elite Test list

New Zealand swung at 22-2 and trailed by 580 against a dominant Sri Lankan batting attack on Friday, with middle-order maestro Kamindu Mendis reaching 1,000 runs after just eight Test appearances. Sri Lanka declared at 602-5 shortly before stumps on day two in Galle after a 200-run partnership between Kamindu and Kusal Mendis – the third century-plus stand of the innings. The tourists then lost their openers inside nine overs, with Tom Latham catching the fifth ball of the innings for two and Devon Conway dismissed for nine.

Kane Williamson (six) and Ajaz Patel (zero) resume on Saturday.

Kamindu reached the milestone of 1,000 runs in 13 innings played since his debut at the same ground two years ago, equaling Australian great Don Bradman’s record. Meanwhile, he surpassed former Indian batsman Vinod Kambli, who had achieved the feat in 14 innings, becoming the fastest Asian batsman to reach the milestone. Kambli, the previous record holder in the subcontinent, had already achieved this in 1994.

Only two others – England’s Herbert Sutcliffe and West Indies’ Everton Weekes – have surpassed him, both reaching the milestone in 12 innings.

Kamindu, a 25-year-old resident of Galle, made an unbeaten 182 before declaring alongside Kusal on 106.

His five centuries from 13 innings also made him the third fastest on that record, level with Bradman and George Headley of the West Indies.

The left-hander has been in excellent form this year and was also Sri Lanka’s highest run-scorer in the last two series against Bangladesh and England.

Kamindu’s overnight partner Angelo Mathews departed for 88 when Glen Phillips caught him on the square foot by rookie quick Will O’Rourke.

Phillips then sent Dhananjaya de Silva back for 44 when the skipper swept a delivery into the gloves of wicketkeeper Tom Blundell.

It was Phillips’ third wicket for the innings after bowling Dinesh Chandimal for 116 in the final session of the opening day.

O’Rourke had impressed in the first Test with his second five-wicket haul in three matches but toiled to no avail in Sri Lanka’s innings, conceding 81 runs without reward.

Sri Lanka won the opening match of the two-Test series by 63 runs and are eyeing their first Test series win against the Kiwis since 2009.

Friday marked the first time Sri Lanka surpassed 500 against New Zealand from 40 matches.

New Zealand have not won any of their five previous Tests in Galle.

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