Sri Lanka has rewarded Kamindu Mendis for his profitable tour of England by moving him up the batting order for the two-test series against New Zealand starting on Wednesday.

Jamie Smith secured quickfire 67 runs from 50 balls as England were all out for 156 and Sri Lanka set 219 to win; Smith came in after a top-order collapse from England; Watch day four of the third Test on Monday,

The worst batting of the Bazball era has left England with diminishing hopes of completing their first 100 percent summer in 20 years. England have lost 17 wickets for 220 since looking strong at 261 for three in the first innings of the match and largely it has been of their own doing.

Sri Lanka and New Zealand are head to head for the first test of Test Series at Galle International Cricket Stadium, Galle, Sri Lanka on 18th September 2024.

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.

Rookie New Zealand fast bowler William O'Rourke took two wickets to rattle Sri Lanka's top order as the hosts reached 88 at lunch Wednesday on day one of the first Test. Sri Lanka last won a Test series against New Zealand in 2009.