First time in history: Sri Lanka achieve huge milestone during 2nd Test against New Zealand

The Sri Lanka national cricket team achieved a massive milestone during the ongoing second Test against the New Zealand national cricket team. Sri Lanka registered their highest score in an innings against New Zealand in red-ball cricket at the Galle International Stadium on Friday, September 27.

The home team started the two-match series with a 63-run victory in Galle. They defended 274 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the ongoing red-ball series. The Dhananjaya de Silva-led team is on the way to securing victory in the second Test match to complete the whitewash against the Tim Southee-led side.

Sri Lanka Surpasses 500 Runs For The First Time Against New Zealand

Kamindu Mendis scored a record fifth Test century in Sri Lanka's first innings. The hosts crossed the 500-run mark before the tea break on Day 2 in Galle. This is the first time Sri Lanka has gone past 500 runs in an innings in Tests against New Zealand in the history of international cricket.

On Friday, Sri Lanka surpassed 500 runs against New Zealand for the first time in 40 Tests. New Zealand has not won any of their last five Tests at Galle. Ahead of this ongoing Test match, Sri Lanka's highest score against New Zealand was 498 all out, which was achieved in Napier in 2005.

That’s the first time Sri Lanka have gone past 500 runs in Tests against New Zealand. It has taken them 40 Tests to the milestone.
Previous best, 498 all out in Napier in 2005.

— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine) September 27, 2024

Kamindu continued his impressive form, starting the day after previously setting a world record with his eighth consecutive fifty in just eight Test matches. He was joined by Kusal Mendis, who became the fourth batsman to cross 50. The duo added an unbeaten 200-run partnership for the sixth wicket.

The home team declared their first innings at 602 runs on the board. Kamindu Mendis scored an unbeaten 182 runs off 250 deliveries with the help of 16 boundaries and four maximums. Kusal Mendis was not out at 106 runs off 149 balls. Dinesh Chandimal also smashed a century in the first innings.

New Zealand bowlers faced tough challenges during the first Test match. Ajaz Patel conceded 135 runs without claiming a wicket, and Mitchell Santner also went wicketless, giving away 82 runs. Glenn Phillips took three wickets for 141 runs, while captain Tim Southee managed to secure one wicket.

Kamindu Mendis broke several remarkable records during the match. He became one of the fastest players to reach 1,000 Test runs, joining legends like Donald Bradman. Mendis also scored the most Test centuries in 2024, surpassing Joe Root, who has four, and other players with three centuries.

Fastest to 1000 Test Runs (By innings):

12: Herbert Sutcliffe (England) & Everton Weekes (West Indies)

13: Donald Bradman (Australia) & Kamindu Mendis* (Sri Lanka)

Most Hundreds in First 13 Innings in Tests:

6 - Neil Harvey (AUS)

5 - Donald Bradman (AUS)

5 - Everton Weekes (WI)

5 - Herbert Sutcliffe (ENG)

5 - George Headly (WI)

5 - Kamindu Mendis (SL)

Most Test Centuries in 2024:

5* - Kamindu Mendis (Sri Lanka)

4 - Joe Root (England)

3 - Ollie Pope (England)

3 - Shubman Gill (India)

3 - Kane Williamson (New Zealand)

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