Sri Lankan cricketer Kamindu Mendis has set a new world record in Test cricket by scoring at least 50 runs in an innings in each of his first eight Test matches. 

Hosts Sri Lanka are busy in the two-match Test series against New Zealand. After winning the first Test by 63 runs, Sri Lanka started the second or last Test of the series strongly by scoring 306/3 at the stumps of day one.

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Kamindu Mendis scored an unbeaten half-century

Although Pathum Nissanka (1) was dismissed in the first over, his opening partner Dimuth Karunaratne (46) provided a solid start for the hosts with Dinesh Chandimal, who scored a century (112). 

Before the stumps of the day, Angelo Mathews scored 78 not out and Kamindu Mendis scored 51 not out. 

50+ scores in most successive Tests from debut

With his latest half-century, Kamindu Mendis recorded at least one half-century in each of his first eight Tests. It has set a new record in the list of 50+ scores in most consecutive Test matches from debut. Pakistan cricketer Saud Shakeel was the previous record holder by recording it seven times. While Mendis equalled Shakeel’s record during the previous Test, where the left-handed batter scored a century, he broke it in the ongoing Test match by completing a half-century. 

Players with 50+ scores in most successive Tests from debut

Kamindu Mendis' batting performances in first seven Tests 

During Australia's tour of Sri Lanka in 2022, Kamindu Mendis made his Test debut at Galle. On his Test debut, Mendis scored 61 runs. Early this year, Sri Lanka toured Bangladesh for a two-match Test series, where Mendis scored 102 and 164 runs at Sylhet. In the next Test, Mendis scored 92 not out and nine runs. 

In the recently concluded England tour, Mendis started the Test series with 12 and 113 runs at Manchester. In the Lord’s Test, the left-handed batter scored 74 and four runs. In the third Test at The Oval, Mendis scored 64 runs. 

In the first Test of the ongoing home series against New Zealand at Galle, Mendis scored 114 and 13 runs.