GALLE: New Zealand were in a state of bother at the Stumps on Day 2 of the second Test after Sri Lanka piled up a humongous total, courtesy of centuries from Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis and rising star Kamindu Mendis.
The hosts declared their first innings at 602/5, minutes before the Stumps and after an unbeaten 200-run partnership between Kamindu and Kusal.
The visitors had a shaky start to their innings as they lost both their openers Tom Latham (2) and Devon Conway (9) inside nine overs.
Skipper Kane Williamson (6) and nightwatchman Ajaz Patel (0) did well to survive the remaining 5.4 overs and will now resume New Zealand’s innings at 22/2 on the third day.
Sri Lanka resumed their first innings at 306/3 with Mathews and Kamindu, unbeaten on 78 and 51 respectively.
The duo managed to add just 22 runs to their overnight partnership as Mathews perished for 88 as Glenn Phillips got him caught at square leg by William O’Rourke.
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Dhananjaya de Silva joined Kamindu briefly for a 74-run partnership for the fifth wicket before he too, fell victim to Phillips. The skipper made 40 off 80 deliveries, hitting three fours and a six.
This was Phillips’ third wicket in the innings as he cleaned up Dinesh Chandimal on 116 in the third session of the opening day.
But New Zealand’s hopes of some fightback with the ball were dashed by a well-crafted partnership between Kamindu and Kusal.
When Sri Lanka captain de Silva called for the declaration, Kamindu was just 18 away from his maiden double century, while Kusal had just amassed his 10th Test century.
During his marathon 182-run knock, Kamindu breached the 1000 Test runs barrier.
He achieved the landmark in just 13 innings and drew level with Sir Don Bradman, while England’s Herbert Sutcliffe and West Indies’ Everton Weeks were the joint-fastest with 12 innings.
Sri Lanka lead the two-match series 1-0 and are eyeing their first series win over New Zealand since 2009. The home side won the opening Test by 63 runs.