Sri Lanka’s record of four wins in four tests against New Zealand in Galle was in mild jeopardy when the Kiwis took a 35-run lead after the first innings of the first test.

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.

Percentage of total labour force

New Zealand. Tom Blundell 18 (58) Daryl Mitchell 41 (66) Sri Lanka. Prabath Jayasuriya 1/99 (32) Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Live Score: New Zeal

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.

Sri Lanka's Kamindu Mendis staged a back-to-wall half-century against New Zealand Wednesday, as the hosts reached 178 for five at tea on day one of the first Test. The first Test, on the imposing grounds beneath the walls of the 17th century Galle Fort,