Kusal Mendis 8 and 176 against Australia in Pallekele

When Australia landed in Sri Lanka, talks had already started about how there's going to be trial by spin. However, it was the Australia bowlers calling the shots in the first innings of the first Test. Sri Lanka were shot down for 117 after a clinical performance from the Australian bowlers. Australia did throw away the advantage gained by the bowlers by accumulating just 203 but it was Kusal Mendis who drove home the advantage with a 254-ball 176 on a difficult track. Runs didn't come easy for Mendis even with the Australian spinners failing to make the most of helpful conditions. With sound technique to his rescue, he did well in not getting into a shell - something that can easily happen with the team down and out. "The key point I thought was Kusal Mendis' innings - that was the turnaround for the whole series," Angelo Mathews went on the say after the series that Sri Lanka won 3-0. Says something about the innings, doesn't it?