World Record – Caught De Silva (non wicket keeper) Bowled by same bowler Jayasuriya five Times
World Record – Kamindu Mendis – Most number of consecutive fifites recorded (8) in each match since debut
New Zealand were bundled out for 88 runs when eight of their wickets fell before lunch when day three of the 2nd Cricket Test Match began at the Galle Esplanade. This is after Sri Lanka had declared their first innings on day two after posting a mammoth total of 602 for 5 wickets declared with three batters, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis each notching centuries.
However a remarkable feat in the New Zealand first innings was recorded when skipper Dhananjaya De Silva fielding at slip, grabbed five catches. What was more remarkable was that all five catches were taken off the same bowler left arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya who eventually went on to record remarkable figures of 6 for 42 off 18 overs.
Incidentally, Kamindu Mendis created a world record being the only batsmen to score the most number of consecutive fifties (eight) in each match since debut.
The feat of a non wicket keeper taking five catches in a single Test match innings has been recorded on 15 occasions, with another Sri Lankan Lahiru Thirimanne also recording the feat in a Test match played against England also in Galle.
However it appears that this is the first time that this feat has been recorded where the fielder has taken all five catches off the same bowler.
The visitors, asked to follow on, lost their opener Latham in the first over without a run posted on the scoreboard.
Chief Scores
Sri Lanka 1st Innings 602 for 5 wickets declared (Kamindu Mendis 182 not out, Dinesh Chandimal 11, Kusal Mendis 106 not out, Glen Phillips 3 for 141)
New Zealand 1st Innings 88 all out (Mitchell Santner 29, Prabath Nissanka 6 for 42, Nishan Peiris 3 for 33)
New Zealnd 2nd Innings 3 for 1 at Lunch
