[Watch] Kusal Mendis pulls off a stunner to get rid of Kane Williamson on Day 2 of SL vs NZ 1st Test
Sri Lankan keeper-batter Kusal Mendis pulled off an outstanding catch in front of the stumps to give his side a significant breakthrough on Day 2 of the first Test against New Zealand in Galle. The 29-year-old dived his time correctly as the ball stuck in his gloves.
The dismissal occurred in the 53rd over of the innings as Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva bowled into the rough and Williamson looked to nudge it on the on-side.
However, he seemed to close the face of the bat far too early and it looped off the edge. The Moratuwa-born cricketer put on a full-length dive to take the catch, sending Williamson packing for 55.
You can watch the dismissal below:
The wicket for the off-spinner ended the 51-run stand with Rachin Ravindra as the former New Zealand captain made a perfect start to his Asian expedition.
Kusal Mendis scores a critical half-century as Sri Lanka make 305
The keeper-batter made 50 off 68 deliveries, laced with seven boundaries in Sri Lanka's total of 305 that lasted 91.5 overs. He shared a critical partnership of 103 with Kamindu Mendis, who was the star of the show with 114. However, he was the first one to depart on Day 2 as the hosts ended the previous one with 302/7 and added only three more runs to the total.
The Kiwis had a strong opening stand as Devon Conway and Tom Latham added 63 in 18.4 overs before Ramesh Mendis struck. Latham has top-scored for the visitors so far with 70 as Prabhat Jayasuriya struck to get the better of him.
With Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell in the middle, New Zealand ended Day 2 at 255/4 and will look to surpass Sri Lanka's total the following day.
The Black Caps had six Tests scheduled for Asia until the first week of November. Nevertheless, their historic one-off Test against Afghanistan in Greater Noida resulted in a complete washout without a ball being bowled. After the two Tests in Sri Lanka, New Zealand will head to India for three more contests.