• Source:JND
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Sri Lanka national cricket team vs New Zealand national cricket team scorecard:

Kusal Mendis unleashed a dazzling batting display against New Zealand in Dambulla, scoring a majestic 143 runs off just 128 deliveries in the first ODI match of the series at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.

Although he fell agonizingly short, merely 26 runs shy of Sri Lanka great Kumar Sangakkara's revered all-time record for Sri Lanka.

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In the first match against, Mendis ended his century drought in style, striking his fourth ODI ton in just 102 deliveries. Coming in at number three, Mendis anchored the innings, forging a pivotal 206-run partnership with Avishka Fernando.

The duo's batting brilliance steadied Sri Lanka's ship, with Fernando also reaching his maiden century since September 2021.

During the match, Mendis achieved a notable milestone as he became the fifth Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter to score two or more centuries in ODIs. This hundred was special for the wicketkeeper-batter, being Mendis' first on home soil since 2020 and his third overall in Sri Lanka. Notably, his only century abroad came in the World Cup last year against Pakistan in India.

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The 29-year-old batter's stellar 143 has secured the second spot on the list of highest ODI scores by Sri Lankan wicketkeepers. This feat slightly dilutes Kumar Sangakkara's stronghold, which still boasts an impressive nine scores within the top eleven. Mendis now claims two spots, with Niroshan Dickwella's 116 against Zimbabwe in 2017 ranking twelfth. 

Mendis also leapfrogged Sanath Jayasuriya in the list of top ODI scores by Sri Lankan batters against New Zealand, courtesy of his stellar 143. Previously, Jayasuriya held the second spot with his 140-ball 140 in 1994 at Bloemfontein, an achievement later equalled by Thisara Perera in 2019 at Mount Maunganui.

Highest Scores For Sri Lankans In ODIs vs NZ

  • Kusal Mendis - 143 (128 balls) in Dambulla in 2024

  • Sanath Jaysuriya - 140 (143 balls) in Bloemfontein in 1994

  • Thisara Perera - 140 (4 balls) in Mount Maunganui in 2019

  • Sanath Jayasuirya - 120 (125 balls) in Bloemfontein in 2003

Mendis's superb innings finally came to an end as he fell for 143 runs off 128 deliveries. His blistering performance helped Sri Lanka post a competitive total of 324/5 before the rain intervened, halting play with just four balls remaining in the innings.