He got there in style too, launching the offspin of Rachin Ravindra for six down the ground to move past the score of 178 that he needed to move to a career tally in the quadruple figures. What is extraordinary about his achievement is that 634 of his current 1004 runs have come from a batting position of No. 7 or lower. This particular innings, however, came from No. 5, with Kamindu having moved up the order starting with this series.
Kamindu not only averages 91.27, he’s also scored relatively quickly, maintaining a strike rate of 65.02. Nine times in his 13 innings he’s crossed 50, five times he’s crossed 100, and twice he’s gone past 150 – this 182 not out being his highest score. His average is highest at home, but he has now hit hundreds across three different series this year, in three different countries – Bangladesh, England, and Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka moved to a commanding position in the Galle Test, thanks in part to Kamindu’s innings. Though he was the top scorer, Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis also scored a century each.