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Sri Lanka star's stunning swipe at own selectors after brilliant ton

Angelo Mathews has celebrated a century against New Zealand with an overt swipe at his own team’s selectors.

Mathews and Kusal Mendis both compiled centuries and batted throughout the fourth day in an unbeaten 246-run partnership as Sri Lanka reduced the deficit against New Zealand in the first Test on Tuesday.

Mendis finished the day 116 not out, Mathews was 117 not out, and Sri Lanka was 259-3, having erased all but 37 runs of a 296-run deficit.

Sri Lanka’s first-innings total was 282, and New Zealand made 578 in reply.

Angelo Mathews celebrates his century with a set of push-ups while Kusal Mendis looks on. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
Angelo Mathews celebrates his century with a set of push-ups while Kusal Mendis looks on. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

The twin centuries contributed to Sri Lanka’s highest-ever fourth-wicket partnership against New Zealand, beating the previous best of 192, and were a coming of age for one player, and a redemption for the other.

Mathews’ innings was a redemption of sorts.

Only two months ago he was dropped from the Sri Lanka one-day side by the now dismissed national selectors who labeled him ”unfit.”

When he reached his century, Mathews dropped to the pitch and knocked out a few crisp push-ups as a clear riposte to those who questioned his fitness.

He then finished off the swipe by flexing his biceps.

Angelo Mathews celebrates reaching his century. (Photo by MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images)
Angelo Mathews celebrates reaching his century. (Photo by MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images)

Mendis batted 287 minutes and faced 215 balls for his sixth test century which included 12 fours; Mathews took 342 minutes and needed 248 balls to reach his ninth with 11 fours.

By stumps, the pair had shunted back the threat of defeat which seemed imminent at the start of play when Sri Lanka was 20-3.

While the tourists still face a final day on which a minimum of 90 overs have to be bowled, giving New Zealand some hope yet of taking a 1-0 lead in the two-test series, the achievements of Mendis and Mathews on the fourth day have left the match more closely in the balance.

The strong possibility of rain on Wednesday may further play into Sri Lanka’s hands and frustrate the home side.

with AFP