Chandimal century powers Sri Lanka to 306

On the opening day of the second Test against New Zealand in Galle, Dinesh Chandimal scored a remarkable century, finishing the day at 116 runs. His innings included 15 boundaries and marked his sixth Test century at this venue, contributing to Sri Lanka's total of 306-3. Chandimal's performance was complemented by Angelo Mathews, who scored 78, and Kamindu Mendis, who added 51 runs. Mendis achieved a world record with his eighth consecutive fifty since his debut two years ago. Chandimal's century was achieved with a single off Mitchell Santner, and he expressed satisfaction with his new batting position at number three. However, he acknowledged a miscommunication that led to the run-out of his partner, Dimuth Karunaratne, who was dismissed for 46. New Zealand's fielding struggles were evident, as they missed several opportunities to take wickets, including dropped catches and a stumping chance. The conditions were challenging due to the heat and humidity, but the pitch was deemed favorable for batting compared to the previous match. New Zealand's captain, Glenn Phillips, noted their poor toss record and the difficulties of batting last on this wicket. Sri Lanka had previously won the first Test of the series by 63 runs, and New Zealand was still seeking their first victory at Galle after five attempts. In a show of respect, New Zealand players wore black armbands to honor Ian Taylor, their former manager who passed away. This match not only highlights individual performances but also the ongoing rivalry and challenges faced by both teams in the series.