Sanath Jayasuriya can rip apart an excellent bowling attack right from the start. (image: Instagram)
Jayasuriya represented Sri Lanka in 110 Tests, 445 ODIs and 31 T20Is. He scored 6,793 runs in the longest format, 13,430 runs in ODIs and 629 runs in the shortest format of the game before being called a day in 2011.
Happy Birthday Sanath Jayasuriya: If there is one player who revolutionized power hitting, it would be Sanath Jayasuriya. He is perhaps the most explosive and phenomenal batsman Sri Lanka has ever produced, who changed the way the top-order batsmen batted in the limited overs format. Born on this day in 1969, in the town of Matara near the island nation’s southernmost coast, he redefined batting at the top and changed the perception of opening the batting with his power-hitting and impeccable stroke-making skills.
A left-arm spin bowling all-rounder can tear apart the best bowling attack right from the start. Along with this, he also troubled the best batsmen with his unmatched bowling. The veteran southpaw has represented Sri Lanka in 110 Tests, 445 ODIs and 31 T20Is. He scored 6,793 runs in the longest format, 13,430 runs in ODIs and 629 runs in the shortest format of the game before being called a day in 2011. He was also a useful left-arm spinner who was extremely difficult to score. He took 98 and 323 wickets in Tests and ODIs respectively.
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As the former Sri Lanka great celebrates his big day, we take a look at his top five performances:
- 6/29 vs England, 2nd ODI – 1993, Moratuwa
Before becoming famous for his exploits with the bat, Jayasuriya was an effective bowler. In one of his early achievements, the left-arm spinner ripped through a touring English attack with his pace variations and moves. He took six wickets for just 29 runs in 9.5 overs. The hosts won the match by eight wickets and Jayasuriya was adjudged the player of the match. - 340 vs India, 1st Test – 1997, Colombo
After India posted a total of 537/8 (declared) in the first innings, Sri Lanka created Test history in Colombo. Jayasuriya led the attack as the hosts blew all guns to record the highest Test score ever. He scored 952/6 (declared) in the game which resulted in a draw. Jayasuriya not only scored 340 runs (578 balls) but also shared the highest Test partnership of 576 runs with Roshan Mahanama, who played the anchor with 225 runs. - 82 vs England, 1st QF – 1996 World Cup, Faisalabad
The southpaw was the player of a big match and this time he single-handedly put his side in the driving seat with a brilliant knock of 82 runs chasing 236 in the prescribed 50 overs by England. He completed his 50 in just 30 balls and then scored 32 runs in the next 14 balls to finish with a score of 82 in 44 balls. Sri Lanka won by five wickets with nine overs remaining. - 213 vs England, Test Only – 1998, The Oval
A century is always special in England conditions and a double century by a visiting cricketer is exceptional. Jayasuriya reached England after failures in Pakistan series. The hosts challenged the islanders to follow their mark of 445 runs in the first innings.
Jayasuriya grabbed headlines with his aggressive knock of 213 runs in just 278 balls, which included 33 fours and a six. His superfast attacking style allowed Sri Lanka to score at a faster run rate, while Muttiah Muralitharan took nine wickets to guide his team to a 10-wicket win against England in their own backyard. - 189 vs India, Champions Trophy Final – 2000, Sharjah
The opener, who batted first, played a blistering knock of 189 runs in 161 balls, including 21 fours and four sixes, as he single-handedly scored 299 runs in 50 overs. Russell Arnold scored 52 runs as other Sri Lankan cricketers managed to score more than 20. India were bowled out for just 54, their lowest score in ODIs, as Sri Lanka won by a huge margin of 245 runs.
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