Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test, Day 1, Tea report: Kusal Mendis’ half-century keeps hosts in hunt

Kusal Mendis remained unbeaten at 80 as Sri Lanka went for tea with 155 for 3 on Day One of the first Test against Bangladesh at Galle.

Kusal Mendis remained unbeaten at 80 as Sri Lanka went for tea with 155 for 3 on Day One of the first Test against Bangladesh at Galle. Bangladesh had a positive start with the wickets of openers Upul Tharanga (4) and Dimuth Karunaratne (30) in the first session. The hosts lost their third wicket soon after lunch when Dinesh Chandimal departed for 5. However, Sri Lanka put up a grim fight, and did not lose another wicket in the post-lunch session. Mendis stood at the crease like a rock along with Asela Gunaratne (26*). The duo put up a 63-run partnership. Full cricket Scorecard: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test at Galle International Stadium, Galle

The two wickets in the first session had sent Sri Lanka at back-foot, but Mendis’ composed knock helped Sri Lanka put up a good fight. Mushfiqur Rahim showed imagination on the field, rotating his bowlers very wisely. While he kept using Subhashis Roy in the first session after the youngster had bowled a probing, effective spell, he brought on Shakib Al Hasan to slow down Sri Lanka after lunch. Sri Lanka found it hard to score runs in any form — whether singles or boundaries — which led to frustration of the batsmen. Chandimal, a fluent strokeplayer by nature, misread the length of one of those famous Mustafizur Rahman off-cutters, and Mehedi Hasan made no mistake at gully.

Gunaratne’s positive body language changed the face of the game. Coming straight to face Mustafizur after Chandimal’s wicket, he hit a full-toss for four. Busy and nimble at the crease, Gunaratne made room to execute his shots and ran his singles hard. Mustafizur kept on producing chances but could not break through.

Mendis showed positive intent with his footwork after lunch and looked more comfortable at the crease. His shots looked confident and he brought up his fifty with a boundary. Gunaratne kept finding the loose deliveries and sent them for boundaries, reducing the pressure built by the dot balls earlier in the session. Bangladesh’s seamers did a good job in the morning, but the way the pitch is going, they need to make more frequent inroads in the Sri Lankan innings. One must remember that they will bat last against the Sri Lankan spinners on a pitch reputed for assisting spin.

Brief scores:

Sri Lanka 155 for 3 (Dimuth Karunaratne 30, Kusal Mendis 80*; Mustafizur Rahman 1 for 35, Subhashis Roy 1 for 45, Mehedi Hasan 1 for 26) against Bangladesh

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