Sri Lanka Spinner Prabath Jayasuriya Shatters 71-Year-Old Test Record

Jayasuriya has picked up five wickets in an innings six times including 5/174 in Ireland’s first innings of the second Test in Galle. He only needs a five-wicket haul in the second innings to register 10 wickets in a match for a third time.

Before Jayasuriya, Valentine was the record holder he made an immediate impact following his debut in 1950. He was the leading wicket-taker with 33 scalps in four Tests as West Indies won a Test series in England for the first time.

The left-arm orthodox spinner took his 50th wicket in the fourth Test of the West Indies tour of Australia in 1951/52. He achieved the feat in his eighth match and set a record that lasted for more than 71 years.

The Sri Lankan spinner can now set out to chase down the record for reaching 100 wickets in the fewest matches.

England quick George Lohmann took a 100th wicket in his 16th Test in 1896, while leg-spinners Clarrie Grimmett of Australia and Yasir Shah of Pakistan are among four bowlers to achieve the feat in their 17th Test.

Jayasuriya has now claimed the record while also becoming the equal-second fastest overall to reach the 50-wicket mark along with Vernon Philander of South Africa and Tom Richardson of England.

The two pacers also picked up 50 wickets in seven Tests. Philander ahieved this feat in 2012 and Richardson did it in 1896.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Featured Video Of The Day

In Battle Of Survival, SRH And DC Train Hard Ahead Of IPL 2023 Clash