shot-button
Olympic 2024 Olympic 2024
Home > Sports News > Cricket News > Article > Historic Sri Lanka spinner Prabath Jayasuriya breaks 71 year old Test record

Historic! Sri Lanka spinner Prabath Jayasuriya breaks 71-year-old Test record

Updated on: 28 April,2023 06:40 PM IST  |  Galle
mid-day online correspondent |

Sri Lanka spinner Prabath Jayasuriya hit the 50-wicket mark in his seventh Test to take away the record from West Indies' Alf Valentine as the spinner to reach the 50-wicket milestone in the fewest number of matches

Historic! Sri Lanka spinner Prabath Jayasuriya breaks 71-year-old Test record

Prabath Jayasuriya (Pic: AFP)

Sri Lanka spinner Prabath Jayasuriya broke a 71-year-old record when he dismissed Ireland's Paul Stirling to claim his 50th Test wicket on the final day of the second Test in Galle on Friday. The 31-year-old reached the milestone in his seventh Test to take away the record from West Indies' Alf Valentine as the spinner to reach the 50-wicket milestone in the fewest number of matches. He has been sensational since his rise in Test format. He made his debut against Australia in July 2022, when he finished with the fourth-best debut match figures of 12/177.


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.


Also Read: Maiden double centuries by Madushka, Mendis help Lanka take big lead against Ireland


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 achieved this feat in 2012 and Richardson did it in 1896. 

(With ANI inputs)

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

Register for FREE
to continue reading !

This is not a paywall.
However, your registration helps us understand your preferences better and enables us to provide insightful and credible journalism for all our readers.

Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK