Sri Lanka star Kamindu Mendis breaks Vinod Kambli’s 30-year-old record and is level with Don Bradman in the elite Test list

New Zealand struggled 22-2 and trailed by 580 on Friday against a dominant Sri Lanka batting attack that saw middle-order maestro Kamindu Mendis reach 1,000 runs in just eight Test appearances. Sri Lanka reached 602-5 – their third innings century score – after a 200-run partnership between Kamindu and Kusal Mendis just before stumps on the second day in Galle. The tourists then lost their openers within nine overs, with Tom Latham caught for two on the fifth ball of the innings and Devon Conway dismissed for nine.

Kane Williamson (six) and Ajaz Patel (zero) will continue on Saturday.

Kamindu reached the milestone of 1,000 runs in 13 innings played since his debut at the same ground two years ago, equaling the record set by Australian great Don Bradman. Meanwhile, he surpassed former India batsman Vinod Kambli, who achieved this feat in 14 innings, to become the fastest Asian batsman to reach this milestone. Kambli, the previous record holder on the subcontinent, had already achieved this in 1994.

Only two others – England’s Herbert Sutcliffe and Everton Weekes of the West Indies – have surpassed it and both reached the milestone in 12 innings.

Kamindu, a 25-year-old Galle native, scored an unbeaten 182 along with Kusal of 106 before declaration.

His five centuries from 13 innings also made him the third fastest to achieve this record, equal with George Headley of Bradman and the West Indies.

The left-hander has been in excellent form this year and was also Sri Lanka’s top run-scorer in the last two series against Bangladesh and England.

Kamindu’s overnight partner Angelo Mathews was heading for 88 when Glen Phillips caught him at square leg from rookie quick Will O’Rourke.

Phillips then sent back Dhananjaya de Silva for 44 when the skipper swept a throw into the gloves of wicketkeeper Tom Blundell.

It was Phillips’ third wicket of the innings after he bowled Dinesh Chandimal for 116 in the final session of the opening day.

O’Rourke had impressed in the first Test with his second five-wicket haul in three games, but struggled in Sri Lanka’s innings to no result, conceding 81 runs for no reward.

Sri Lanka won the opening match of the two Test series by 63 runs and will be hoping for their first Test series win against the Kiwis since 2009.

On Friday, Sri Lanka surpassed the 500-point mark for the first time in 40 games against New Zealand.

New Zealand have not won any of their five previous Tests in Galle.

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