Prolific middle-order batter Kamindu Mendis struck a fine hundred to rescue Sri Lanka from a precarious position as the hosts reached 302-7 at stumps on Day 1 of the first test against New Zealand.

Half-centuries from Tom Latham and Kane Williamson put New Zealand at 255-4 and in hot pursuit of Sri Lanka on day two of the first Test on Thursday.

Sri Lankas Kamindu Mendis scored a courageous century against New Zealand Wednesday as the hosts wrestled back the initiative to reach 302 for seven at stumps on the first day of the first Test.

Both sides could potentially field three spin-options each, but for a result to be possible, rain has to stay away

Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat after winning the toss in the first test against New Zealand at the Galle International Stadium on Wednesday. Both teams opted to play two spinners with Sri Lanka going for the left-arm spin of Prabath Jayasuriya and off-spin of Ramesh Mendis.

New Zealand were supposed to come into this Test on the back of having played Afghanistan in what would’ve been ideal preparation for a tough Sub Continental assignment. However, terrible rain saw all five scheduled days washed out and the match abandoned with a ball being bowled, which leaves the Black Caps in danger of being undercooked.

Sri Lanka. Prabath Jayasuriya 2/108 (34) Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Live Score: New Zealand. Glenn Phillips 5 (2) Daryl Mitc

Rookie New Zealand fast bowler William O'Rourke took 5-55 to help dismiss Sri Lanka for 305 on the second morning of the first Test on Thursday in Galle. A century by Kamindu Mendis, his fourth from seven Test appearances,

Kamindu Mendis hit his fourth Test hundred, first in Sri Lanka, as the hosts went past 300 on a hard-fought day of Test cricket in Galle. Fast bowler William O'Rourke was the pick of the BlackCaps bowling unit on a spin-friendly surface.