"Kamindu Mendis or Don Bradman?" - Fans react to Sri Lanka batter's fighting knock against England in 2nd Test
Sri Lanka batter Kamindu Mendis produced a fighting display with the bat on Day 2 against England in the second Test at Lord's, London on Friday, August 30. The left-hander top scored with 74 runs off 120 balls with the help of three sixes and eight boundaries. His innings helped the visitors reduce their first-innings deficit to 231 runs.
Kamindu was also brilliant with the bat in the second innings of the opening Test against England. In that game, he scored 113 runs off 183 balls, comprising one six and 15 boundaries. The 25-year-old has now scored 627 runs in eight innings at a staggering average of 89.57 with the help of three tons and as many fifties.
Fans on X lauded Kamindu Mendis for his consistency in Test cricket. One user wrote:
"A star in making for Sri Lanka."
Another user wrote:
"What Kamindu Mendis is accomplishing right now, considering his batting position, is nothing short of remarkable..."
A third user added:
"SSC in Colombo or Lords in England, Duke Balls or SG Balls, There is no difference for Kamindu Mendis at all.. He is playing his natural game as usual. He hasn’t faced duke balls much before this series. What an all round young talent he is.."
Here are a few more reactions:
England get healthy 1st innings lead despite Kamindu Mendis' fighting knock for Sri Lanka on Day 2
A clinical bowling display helped England get a 231-run lead against Sri Lanka after Lunch on Day 2. The visitors were bundled out for 196 in their first innings. Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Olly Stone, and Matthew Potts bagged two wickets each, while Shoaib Bashir scalped one.
Batting first, the hosts put up 427 in their first innings. Joe Root starred with the bat, scoring 143 runs off 206 deliveries, an innings laced with 18 boundaries. Gus Atkinson also smashed his maiden ton, scoring 118 off 115, including four sixes and 14 boundaries.
Asitha Fernando was the pick of the bowling unit for Sri Lanka, finishing with a fifer to get his name written on the Lord’s honors board. Milan Rathnayake and Lahiru Kumara bagged two wickets apiece.
At the time of writing, England were 21 without loss in their second innings, leading by 252 runs so far.
Follow the ENG vs SL 2nd Test live score and updates here.