Kamindu Mendis: Sri Lanka’s batsman scores fourth Test century against New Zealand

Kamindu Mendis continued his remarkable start to Test cricket by scoring his fourth century on the first day of the first Test against New Zealand in Galle.

The 25-year-old left-hander, who scored 102 fifties in the recent series against England, helped Sri Lanka to a score of 302-7 with 114 off 171 balls.

He now has four centuries in his first seven Tests and eight scores of 50 or more in his 11 innings.

This shot took his average up to 80.90. Only the legendary Australian Sir Don Bradman achieved a better average of 99.94 than all other batsmen who played at least 10 innings.

If Kamindu scores 50 or more in the second innings, he would be level with Indian great Sunil Gavaskar, who has scored nine 50+ runs – the most of any batsman in his first seven Tests.

Only three players – Bradman and the West Indian duo George Headley and Everton Weekes – have scored five hundreds in their first seven Tests.

England’s Harry Brook made a similarly impressive start to his career, scoring four hundreds in his first six Tests after making his debut in 2022.