List of Sri Lanka Test cricket records

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List of Sri Lanka Test cricket records

Test cricket is the oldest form of cricket played at international level.[1] A Test match takes place over a period of five days, and is played by teams representing Full Member nations of the International Cricket Council (ICC).[2][3] Sri Lanka obtained Full Member status of the ICC in 1981, becoming the eighth nation eligible to play Test cricket.[4] The Sri Lanka national cricket team played their first Test match on 17 February 1982, against England, and recorded their first victory on 6 September 1985, in a match against India.[5] Since then, they have played nearly 300 matches, against every other Test-playing nation.[6] Sri Lanka holds the world record for the highest team score, which was established against India in 1997.[7] The highest partnership in Test cricket was also established by two Sri Lankan batsmen; Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara.[8] Sri Lankan players also hold the highest partnership scores for the second and third wickets.[9]

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Mahela Jayawardene holds several batting and fielding test cricket records for Sri Lanka.

Top order batsman and former captain Kumar Sangakkara holds several Sri Lankan batting records as he has scored the most runs for Sri Lanka in Test cricket. He is also the record holder for the highest number of centuries as well as the highest number of half-centuries. The 374 made by Mahela Jayawardene against South Africa in 2006 is the highest individual score by a Sri Lankan cricketer, surpassing the previous best of 340 by Sanath Jayasuriya, which was established in 1997.[10] It is also the fourth-highest individual score in Test cricket. Jayawardene, Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara [319] are the only Sri Lankan players who have scored triple centuries.[11]

Muttiah Muralitharan, who was hailed by the Wisden Cricketers' Almanack in 2002 as the "best bowler ever" in Test cricket, dominates the bowling records for Sri Lanka.[12] He is the world record holder for the highest number of wickets, the most five wickets per innings, as well as the most ten wickets per match.[13] Muralitharan also holds the records for the best bowling average, best figures in an innings, best figures in a match, and best figures in a series. He missed an opportunity to capture all ten wickets in an innings in 2002 against Zimbabwe, when Chaminda Vaas took the last wicket after Muralitharan had taken the previous nine.[14] The Sri Lankan team won an ODI series against Australia in Australia in 2010. However, they are yet to register a Test match win and an ODI series win against India in India, as of 2017.

Sri Lanka holds a unique record of having the most Test wickets by both a right arm and left arm bowler:: Muralitharan with 800 wickets and Rangana Herath with 433 wickets.

Key

The top five records are listed for each category, except for the team wins, losses, draws and ties and the partnership records. Tied records for fifth place are also included. Explanations of the general symbols and cricketing terms used in the list are given below. Specific details are provided in each category where appropriate. All records include matches played for Sri Lanka only, and are correct as of March 2022.

More information Symbol, Meaning ...
Key
Symbol Meaning
Player or umpire is currently active in Test cricket
* Player remained not out or partnership remained unbroken
Test cricket record
d Innings was declared (e.g. 8/758d)
Date Starting date of the Test match
Innings Number of innings played
Matches Number of matches played
Opposition The team India was playing against
Period The time period when the player was active in Test cricket
Player The player involved in the record
Venue Test cricket ground where the match was played
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Team records

Summarize
Perspective

Record versus other nations

More information Opponent, Matches ...
Opponent Matches Won Lost Draw Tied % Won First Last
 Afghanistan11000100.0020242024
 Australia345218014.7019832025
 Bangladesh262015076.9220012024
 England3991911023.0719822024
 India4672217015.2119822022
 Ireland22000100.0020232023
 New Zealand40111811027.5019832024
 Pakistan58172219028.8119822023
 South Africa339186027.2719932024
 West Indies241149045.8319932021
 Zimbabwe201406070.0019942020
Total 32410612692032.7119822025
Statistics are correct as of 2nd Test  Sri Lanka v  Australia at Galle International Stadium, Galle; 29 January – 1 February 2025[15][16]
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First Test series wins

More information Opponent, Year of first Home win ...
OpponentYear of first Home winYear of first Away win
 Afghanistan2024YTP
 Australia1999
 Bangladesh20022006
 England19931998
 India1985
 Ireland2023YTP
 New Zealand19921995
 Pakistan20091995
 South Africa20042019
 West Indies2001
 Zimbabwe19961999
Last updated: 23 September 2024[17]
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First Test match wins

Team scoring records

Most runs in an innings

More information Rank, Score ...
Rank Score Opposition Venue Date
1952–6d ♠ IndiaR. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo2 August 1997
2760–7dSardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad16 November 2009
3756–5d South AfricaSinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo27 July 2006
4730–6d BangladeshSher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka27 January 2014
5713–3d ZimbabweQueens Sports Club, Bulawayo14 May 2004
713–9d BangladeshZAC Stadium, Chittagong31 January 2018
Last updated: 23 September 2024[19]
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Highest successful run chases

More information Rank, Score ...
Rank Score Target Opposition Venue Date
1 391/6 388  Zimbabwe R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka 14 July 2017
2 352/9 352  South Africa Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka 4 August 2006
3 326/5 326  Zimbabwe Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka 14 January 1998
4 304/9 304  South Africa Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa 13 February 2019
5 268/4 268  New Zealand Galle International Stadium, Galle, Sri Lanka 14 August 2019
Last updated: 23 September 2024[20]
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Fewest runs in an innings

More information Rank, Score ...
Rank Score Opposition Venue Date
1 42  South AfricaKingsmead, Durban27 November 2024
2 71  PakistanAsgiriya Stadium, Kandy26 August 1994
3 73 3 April 2006
4 81  EnglandSinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo15 March 2001
5 82  IndiaSector 16 Stadium, Chandigarh23 November 1990
 EnglandSophia Gardens, Cardiff26 May 2011
Last updated: 1 December 2024[21]
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Most runs conceded in an innings

More information Rank, Score ...
Rank Score Opposition Venue Date
1 765/6d  Pakistan National Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan 21 February 2009
2 726/9d  India Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai, India 2 December 2009
3 707 Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka 26 July 2010
4 676/7 Green Park Stadium, Kanpur, India 17 December 1986
5 671/4  New Zealand Basin Reserve, Wellington, New Zealand 31 January 1991
Last updated: 23 September 2024[22]
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Fewest runs conceded in an innings

More information Rank, Score ...
Rank Score Opposition Venue Date
1 62  Bangladesh Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka 3 July 2007
2 73  South Africa Galle International Stadium, Galle, Sri Lanka 12 July 2018
3 79  Zimbabwe 12 January 2002
4 81  England 18 December 2007
5 86  Bangladesh R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka 12 September 2005
Last updated: 23 September 2024[23]
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Result records

A Test match is won when one side has scored more runs than the total runs scored by the opposing side during their two innings. If both sides have completed both their allocated innings and the side that fielded last has the higher aggregate of runs, it is known as a win by runs. This indicates the number of runs that they had scored more than the opposing side. If one side scores more runs in a single innings than the total runs scored by the other side in both their innings, it is known as a win by innings and runs. If the side batting last wins the match, it is known as a win by wickets, indicating the number of wickets that were still to fall.[24]

Greatest win margins (by innings)

More information Rank, Margin ...
Rank Margin Opposition Venue Date
1 Innings and 280 runs  Ireland Galle International Stadium, Galle 18 April 2023
2 Innings and 254 runs  ZimbabweQueens Sports Club, Bulawayo14 May 2004
3 Innings and 248 runs  BangladeshSher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka27 January 2014
4 Innings and 240 runs  ZimbabweHarare Sports Club, Harare6 May 2004
5 Innings and 239 runs  IndiaSinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo23 July 2008
Last updated: 23 September 2024[25]
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Greatest win margins (by runs)

More information Rank, Margin ...
Rank Margin Opposition Venue Date
1465 runs BangladeshZohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong3 January 2009
2328 runs BangladeshSylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet22 March 2024
3315 runs ZimbabweGalle International Stadium, Galle12 January 2002
4313 runs South AfricaSinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo11 August 2004
5288 runs BangladeshSinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo28 July 2002
Last updated: 23 September 2024[25]
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Greatest win margins (by 10 wickets)

More information Rank, Number of Victories ...
Rank Number of Victories Opposition Most Recent Venue Date
1 2  West Indies Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka 29 November 2001
 India Galle International Stadium, Galle, Sri Lanka 18 July 2010
 Zimbabwe Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe 19 January 2020
4 1  England The Oval, London, England 14 August 1998
 Bangladesh Shaheed Chandu Stadium, Bogra, Bangladesh 8 March 2006
 New Zealand Galle International Stadium, Galle, Sri Lanka 17 November 2012
 Afghanistan Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka 5 February 2024
Last updated: 23 September 2024[25]
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Narrowest win margins (by runs)

More information Rank, Margin ...
Rank Margin Opposition Venue Date
121 runs PakistanSheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi28 September 2017
242 runsIqbal Stadium, Faisalabad15 September 1995
350 runsGalle International Stadium, Galle4 July 2009
457 runsArbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar5 March 2000
563 runs IndiaGalle International Stadium, Galle12 August 2015
Last updated: 23 September 2024[26]
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Narrowest win margins (by wickets)

More information Rank, Margin ...
Rank Margin Opposition Venue Date
11 wicket South AfricaSinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo4 August 2006
Kingsmead Cricket Ground, Durban13 February 2019
32 wickets PakistanRawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi26 February 2000
45 wickets EnglandSinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo13 March 1993
 Zimbabwe14 January 1998
Last updated: 23 September 2024[26]
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Greatest loss margins (by innings)

More information Rank, Margin ...
Rank Margin Opposition Venue Date
1 Innings and 242 runs  Australia Galle International Stadium, Galle, Sri Lanka 29 January 2025
2 Innings and 239 runs  India Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur, India 24 November 2017
3 Innings and 229 runs  South Africa Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa 2 January 2001
4 Innings and 222 runs  India Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, India 4 March 2022
 Pakistan Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka 24 July 2023
Last updated: 1 February 2025[27]
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Greatest loss margins (by runs)

More information Rank, Margin ...
Rank Margin Opposition Venue Date
1 423 runs  New Zealand Hagley Oval, Christchurch, New Zealand 26 December 2018
2 366 runs  Australia Manuka Oval, Canberra, Australia 1 February 2019
3 304 runs  India Galle International Stadium, Galle, Sri Lanka 17 July 2017
4 301 runs  Pakistan Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka 9 August 1994
5 282 runs  South Africa Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa 2 January 2017
Last updated: 23 September 2024[27]
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Greatest loss margins (by 10 wickets)

More information Rank, Number of Defeats ...
Rank Number of Defeats Opposition Most Recent Venue Date
1 2  Pakistan Galle International Stadium, Galle, Sri Lanka 17 June 2015
 South Africa Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa 3 January 2021
3 1  Australia Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia 26 December 1995
 England Old Trafford, Manchester, England 13 June 2002
Last updated: 23 September 2024[27]
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Narrowest loss margins (by runs)

More information Rank, Margin ...
Rank Margin Opposition Venue Date
1 7 runs  South Africa Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy, Sri Lanka 30 July 2000
2 16 runs  Australia Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka 17 August 1992
3 27 runs Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy, Sri Lanka 16 March 2004
4 42 runs  England Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka 23 November 2018
5 57 runs Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele, Sri Lanka 14 November 2018
Last updated: 23 September 2024[28]
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Narrowest loss margins (by wickets)

More information Rank, Margin ...
Rank Margin Opposition Venue Date
1 2 wicket  New Zealand Hagley Oval, Christchurch, New Zealand 9 March 2023
2 3 wicket  Pakistan Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, Pakistan 2 January 1992
 England Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy, Sri Lanka 7 March 2001
 South Africa Centurion Park, Centurion, South Africa 26 December 1998
5 4 wicket  England Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka 15 March 2001
 Bangladesh Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka 17 March 2017
 Pakistan Galle International Stadium, Galle, Sri Lanka 20 July 2023
Last updated: 23 September 2024[28]
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Individual records

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Perspective

Batting records

Thumb
Sangakkara holds several Sri Lanka Test cricket records in batting

Most career runs

Kumar Sangakkara is the fifth-highest scoring batsman in Test cricket.[29]

More information Rank, Runs ...
Rank Runs Player Matches Innings Period
1 12,400 Kumar Sangakkara1342332000–2015
2 11,814 Mahela Jayawardene1492521997–2014
3 8,167 Angelo Mathews1182102009–2025
4 7,222 Dimuth Karunaratne1001912012–2025
5 6,973 Sanath Jayasuriya1101881991–2007
6 6,361 Aravinda de Silva931591984–2002
7 6,208 Dinesh Chandimal881582011–2024
8 5,502 Marvan Atapattu901561990–2007
9 5,492 Tillakaratne Dilshan871451999–2013
10 5,462 Thilan Samaraweera811322001–2013
Last updated: 8 February 2025[29]
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Fastest runs getter

More information Runs, Batsman ...
Runs Batsman Match Innings Record Date Reference
1000 Kamindu Mendis 8 13 26 September 2024 [30]
2000 Kumar Sangakkara 29 46 20 June 2003 [31]
3000 Mahela Jayawardene 42 65 16 May 2002 [32]
4000 57 91 24 March 2004 [33]
5000 Kumar Sangakkara 64 106 15 December 2006 [34]
6000 71 116 18 December 2007 [35]
7000 83 138 20 July 2009 [36]
8000 91 ♠ 152 ♠ 3 August 2010 [37]
9000 103 ♠ 172 ♠ 3 November 2011 [38]
10000 115 195 ♠ 26 December 2012 [39]
11000 122 ♠ 208 ♠ 4 February 2014 [40]
12000 130 ♠ 224 ♠ 3 January 2015 [41]
Last updated: 23 September 2024
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Most runs in each batting position

More information Batting position, Batsman ...
Batting position Batsman Innings Runs Average Test Career Span Ref
Opener Dimuth Karunaratne1867,12939.822012–2025 [42]
Number 3 Kumar Sangakkara20711,67960.832000–2015 [43]
Number 4 Mahela Jayawardene1959,50952.251997–2014 [44]
Number 5 Thilan Samaraweera933,90347.602001–2013 [45]
Number 6 Hashan Tillakaratne582,84347.381989–2004 [46]
Number 7 Prasanna Jayawardene621,66130.202000–2015 [47]
Number 8 Chaminda Vaas981,91325.171994–2009 [48]
Number 9 4284728.231994–2009 [49]
Number 10 Suranga Lakmal4541512.582010–2020 [50]
Number 11 Muttiah Muralitharan9862311.331992–2010 [51]
Last updated: 8 February 2025.
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Most runs against each team

More information Opposition, Runs ...
Opposition Runs Player Matches Innings Period Ref
 Afghanistan 141 Angelo Mathews 1 1 2024–2024 [52]
 Australia 969 Mahela Jayawardene 16 29 1999–2013 [53]
 Bangladesh 1,816 Kumar Sangakkara 15 21 2001–2014 [54]
 England 2,212 Mahela Jayawardene 23 41 1998–2014 [55]
 India 1,822 18 28 1997–2010 [56]
 Ireland 385 Kusal Mendis 2 2 2023-2023 [57]
 New Zealand 1,178 Angelo Mathews 15 27 2009–2024 [58]
 Pakistan 2,911 Kumar Sangakkara 23 45 2002–2015 [59]
 South Africa 1,782 Mahela Jayawardene 17 32 2000–2014 [60]
 West Indies 918 Kumar Sangakkara 12 19 2001–2010 [61]
 Zimbabwe 1,145 Marvan Atapattu 10 15 1998–2004 [62]
Last updated: 27 September 2024.
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Highest individual score

More information Rank, Runs ...
Rank Runs Player Opposition Venue Date
1 374 Mahela Jayawardene South AfricaSinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo27 July 2006
2 340 Sanath Jayasuriya IndiaR. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo2 August 1997
3 319 Kumar Sangakkara BangladeshZahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong4 February 2014
4 287  South AfricaSinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo27 July 2006
5 275 Mahela Jayawardene IndiaSardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad16 November 2009
Last updated: 23 September 2024[63]
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Highest individual score – progression of record

More information Runs, Player ...
Runs Player Opponent Venue Season
77 Roy Dias EnglandPaikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka1981–82
157 Sidath Wettimuny PakistanIqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, Pakistan
190  EnglandLord's, London, England1984
201* Brendon Kuruppu New ZealandColombo Cricket Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka1987
267 Aravinda de SilvaBasin Reserve, Wellington, New Zealand1991
340 Sanath Jayasuriya IndiaR Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka1997
374 Mahela Jayawardene South AfricaSinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka2006
Last updated: 23 September 2024[63]
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Highest individual score against each team

More information Opposition, Runs ...
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Highest career average

In cricket, batting average is the mean number of runs scored per innings. It is calculated by dividing total runs scored (including innings where he remained not out) by the number of times the batsman has been dismissed.[74]

More information Rank, Average ...
Rank Average Player Innings Runs Not out Period
1 57.40 Kumar Sangakkara23312,400172000–2015
2 49.84 Mahela Jayawardene25211,814151997–2014
3 48.76 Thilan Samaraweera1325,462202001–2013
4 44.62 Angelo Mathews2108,167272009–2025
5 43.41 Dinesh Chandimal1586,208152011–2025
Qualification: 20 innings. Last updated: 8 February 2025[75]
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Highest Average in each batting position

More information Batting position, Batsman ...
Batting position Batsman Innings Runs Average Career Span Ref
Opener Marvan Atapattu1365,31743.231990–2007 [76]
Number 3 Kumar Sangakkara20711,67960.832000–2015 [77]
Number 4 Mahela Jayawardene1959,50952.251997–2014 [78]
Number 5 Dinesh Chandimal512,21350.292013–2024 [79]
Number 6 Angelo Mathews382,16148.022009–2018 [80]
Number 7 Hashan Tillakaratne2270150.071989–2004 [81]
Number 8 Chaminda Vaas981,91325.171994–2009 [82]
Number 9 4284728.231994–2009 [83]
Number 10 Suranga Lakmal4541512.5<2011–2019 [84]
Number 11 Muttiah Muralitharan9862311.331992–2010 [85]
Last updated:1 December 2024. Qualification: Min 20 innings batted at position
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Most Test half-centuries

More information Rank, Half centuries ...
Rank Half centuries Player Innings Runs Period
1 52 Kumar Sangakkara23312,4002000–2015
2 50 Mahela Jayawardene25211,8141997–2014
3 45 Angelo Mathews2108,1672009–2025
4 39 Dimuth Karunaratne1917,2222012–2025
5 38 Arjuna Ranatunga1555,1051982–2000
Last updated: 8 February 2025[86]
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Most Test centuries

More information Rank, Centuries ...
Rank Centuries Player Innings Runs Period
1 38 Kumar Sangakkara23312,4002000–2015
2 34 Mahela Jayawardene25211,8141997–2014
3 20 Aravinda de Silva1596,3611984–2002
4 16 Tillakaratne Dilshan1455,4921999–2013
Dinesh Chandimal 158 6,208 2011–2025
Marvan Atapattu1565,5021990–2007
Dimuth Karunaratne1917,2222012–2025
Angelo Mathews2108,1672009–2025
Last updated: 8 February 2025[87]
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Most Test double centuries

More information Rank, Double centuries ...
Rank Double centuries Player Innings Runs Period
1 11 Kumar Sangakkara23312,4002000–2015
2 7 Mahela Jayawardene25211,8141997–2014
3 6 Marvan Atapattu1565,5021990–2007
4 3 Sanath Jayasuriya1886,9731991–2007
5 2 Aravinda de Silva1596,3611984–2002
Thilan Samaraweera 132 5,462 2001–2013
Last updated: 23 September 2024[88]
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Most triple centuries

More information Rank, Triple centuries ...
Rank Triple centuries Player Innings Runs Period
1 1 Sanath Jayasuriya1886,9731991–2007
Kumar Sangakkara23312,4002000–2015
Mahela Jayawardene25211,8141997–2014
Last updated: 23 September 2024[89]
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Most Sixes

More information Rank, Sixes ...
Rank Sixes Player Innings Runs Period
1 89 Angelo Mathews 210 8,167 2009–2025
2 61 Mahela Jayawardene 252 11,814 1997–2014
3 59 Sanath Jayasuriya 188 6,973 1991–2007
4 51 Kumar Sangakkara 233 12,400 2000–2015
5 48 Aravinda de Silva 159 6,361 1984–2002
Last updated: 8 February 2025[90]
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Most Fours

More information Rank, Fours ...
Rank Fours Player Innings Runs Period
1 1,491 Kumar Sangakkara 233 12,400 2000–2015
2 1,387 Mahela Jayawardene 252 11,814 1997–2014
3 910 Sanath Jayasuriya 188 6,973 1991–2007
4 831 Angelo Mathews 210 8,167 2009–2025
5 764 Dimuth Karunaratne 191 7,222 2012–2025
Last updated: 8 February 2025[91]
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Highest batting strike rate

More information Rank, Strike Rate ...
Rank Strike Rate Player Runs Balls Period
1 72.25 Kusal Perera 1,177 1,629 2015–2021
2 70.28 Muttiah Muralitharan 1,261 1,794 1992–2010
3 66.46 Niroshan Dickwella 2,757 4,148 2014–2023
4 65.54 Tillakaratne Dilshan 5,492 8,379 1999–2013
5 65.18 Sanath Jayasuriya 6,973 10,698 1991–2007
Qualification: 1,000 balls. Last updated: 29 April 2023[92]
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Most runs in a series

Most ducks in career

"Duck" refers to a batsman dismissed without scoring.[94]

More information Rank, Ducks ...
Rank Ducks Player Matches Innings Period
1 32 Muttiah Muralitharan1321621992–2010
2 23 Rangana Herath931441999–2018
3 22 Marvan Atapattu901561990–2007
4 21 Suranga Lakmal691072010–2022
5 18 Nuwan Pradeep28502011–2017
Last updated: 29 April 2023[95]
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Bowling records

Summarize
Perspective
Thumb
Muttiah Muralitharan dominates the bowling records for Sri Lanka.

Most wickets in a career

Muralitharan, who is the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, has taken 5 wickets for the ICC World XI team during a match in 2005, which are not included in this list.[96] Muralitharan and Shane Warne—who ranks second with 708 wickets—are the only bowlers who have captured more than 700 Test wickets.[97]

More information Rank, Wickets ...
Rank Wickets Player Matches Innings Average Period
1 795 Muttiah Muralitharan13222822.671992–2010
2 433 Rangana Herath9317028.071999–2018
3 355 Chaminda Vaas11119429.581994–2009
4 171 Suranga Lakmal7012236.442010–2022
5 161 Dilruwan Perera437835.92014–2021
6 116 Prabath Jayasuriya203730.082022–2025
7 104 Lahiru Kumara345736.042016–2025
8 101 Lasith Malinga305933.152004–2010
8 100 Dilhara Fernando406837.842000–2012
10 98 Sanath Jayasuriya11014034.341991–2007
Last updated: 9 February 2025[98]
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Most career wickets against each team

More information Opposition, Wickets ...
Opposition Wickets Player Matches Innings Average Period Ref
 Afghanistan 8 Prabath Jayasuriya 1 2 21.75 2024–2024 [99]
 Australia 66 Rangana Herath 11 19 22.63 1999–2016 [100]
 Bangladesh 89 Muttiah Muralitharan 11 22 13.37 2001–2009 [101]
 England 112 16 30 20.06 1993–2007 [102]
 India 105 22 32 32.61 1993–2010 [103]
 Ireland 17 Prabath Jayasuriya 2 4 21.76 2023-2023 [104]
 New Zealand 68 Muttiah Muralitharan 14 25 25.97 1992–2009 [105]
 Pakistan 106 Rangana Herath 21 40 28.07 2000–2017 [106]
 South Africa 104 Muttiah Muralitharan 15 27 22.22 1993–2006 [107]
 West Indies 82 12 22 19.62 1993–2008 [108]
 Zimbabwe 87 14 26 16.86 1994–2004 [109]
Last updated: 23 September 2024
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Fastest wicket taker

More information Wickets, Bowler ...
Wickets Bowler Match Record Date Reference
50 Prabath Jayasuriya 7 24 April 2023 [110]
100 17 27 November 2024 [111]
150 Muttiah Muralitharan 36 14 January 1998 [112]
200 42 27 August 1998 [113]
250 51 12 March 2000 [114]
300 58 26 December 2000 [115]
350 66 ♠ 6 September 2001 [116]
400 72 ♠ 12 January 2002 [117]
450 80 ♠ 3 May 2003 [118]
500 87 ♠ 16 March 2004 [119]
600 101 ♠ 8 March 2006 [120]
700 113 ♠ 11 July 2007 [121]
750 122 ♠ 31 July 2008 [122]
800 133 ♠ 18 July 2010 [123]
Last updated: 30 November 2024
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Best figures in an innings

Muttiah Muralitharan's 9 wickets for 51 runs against Zimbabwe is Test cricket's fifth-best bowling figures in a single innings.[124] Also Rangana Herath's 9 wickets for 127 runs against Pakistan is the Best bowling figures by a left hand bowler in Test cricket history.[125]

More information Rank, Figures ...
Rank Figures Player Opposition Venue Date
1 9/51 Muttiah Muralitharan ZimbabweAsgiriya Stadium, Kandy Sri Lanka4 January 2002
2 9/65  EnglandThe Oval, London, England27 August 1998
3 9/127 Rangana Herath PakistanSinhalese Sports Club, Colombo, Sri Lanka15 August 2014
4 8/46 Muttiah Muralitharan West IndiesAsgiriya Stadium, Kandy, Sri Lanka22 July 2005
5 8/63 Rangana Herath ZimbabweHarare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe6 November 2016
Last updated: 23 September 2024[126]
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Best figures in an innings against each team

More information Opposition, Figures ...
Opposition Figures Player Venue Date Reference
 Afghanistan 5/107 Prabath Jayasuriya Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo 5 February 2024 [127]
 Australia 7/64 Rangana Herath 13 August 2016 [128]
 Bangladesh 7/89 R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo 16 March 2013 [129]
 England 9/65 Muttiah Muralitharan The Oval, London 27 August 1998 [130]
 India 8/87 Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo 29 August 2001 [131]
 Ireland 7/52 Prabath Jayasuriya Galle International Stadium, Galle 18 April 2023 [132]
 New Zealand 6/42 26 September 2024 [133]
 Pakistan 9/127 Rangana Herath Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo 15 August 2014 [134]
 South Africa 7/84 Muttiah Muralitharan Galle International Stadium, Galle 20 July 2000 [135]
 West Indies 8/46 Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy 22 July 2005 [136]
 Zimbabwe 9/51 4 January 2002 [137]
Last updated: 23 September 2024
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Best figures in a match

The Sri Lankan record of 16 wickets for 220 runs set by Muttiah Muralitharan against England is the fifth-best figures by a bowler in a single Test match.[138]

More information Rank, Figures ...
Rank Figures Player Opposition Venue Date
1 16/220 Muttiah Muralitharan EnglandThe Oval, London, England27 August 1998
2 14/184 Rangana Herath PakistanSinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka16 August 2014
3 14/191 Chaminda Vaas West Indies29 November 2001
4 13/115 Muttiah Muralitharan ZimbabweAsgiriya Stadium, Kandy, Sri Lanka4 January 2002
5 13/145 Rangana Herath AustraliaSinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka17 August 2016
Last updated: 23 September 2024[139]
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Best career average

Bowling average is the measurement of mean runs conceded per wicket. In calculating this the total number of runs conceded by the bowler is divided by the number of wickets captured.[74]

More information Rank, Average ...
Rank Average Player Wickets Runs Balls Period
1 22.67 Muttiah Muralitharan79518,02343,7151992–2010
2 27.73 Asitha Fernando721,9973,3392021–2025
3 28.07 Rangana Herath43312,15725,9931999–2018
4 29.58 Chaminda Vaas35510,50123,4381994–2009
Kasun Rajitha551,6272,9962018–2024
5 30.08 Prabath Jayasuriya1163,4906,5272022–2025
Qualification: 2,000 deliveries. Last updated: 9 February 2025[140]
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Best career economy rate

A bowler's economy rate is the total number of runs they have conceded divided by the number of overs they have bowled.[94]

More information Rank, Economy rate ...
Rank Economy rate Player Wickets Runs Balls Period
1 2.33 Don Anurasiri411,5483,9731986–1998
2 2.46 Sanath Jayasuriya983,3668,1881991–2007
3 2.47 Muttiah Muralitharan79518,02343,7151992–2010
4 2.52 Kumar Dharmasena692,9206,9391993–2004
5 2.62 Jayananda Warnaweera321,0212,3331984–1994
Arjuna Ranatunga161,0402,3731984–2000
Qualification: 2,000 balls. Last updated: 23 September 2024[141]
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Best career strike rate

A bowler's strike rate is the total number of balls they have bowled divided by the number of wickets they have taken.[94]

More information Rank, Strike rate ...
Rank Strike rate Player Wickets Runs Balls Period
1 46.37 Asitha Fernando721,9973,3392021–2025
2 51.57 Lasith Malinga1013,3495,2092004–2010
3 54.07 Vishwa Fernando792,5344,2722016–2024
4 54.47 Kasun Rajitha551,6272,9962018–2024
5 54.98 Muttiah Muralitharan79518,02343,7151992–2010
Qualification: 2,000 balls. Last updated: 30 January 2025[142]
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Most five-wicket hauls in an innings

Taking five or more wickets in a single innings (called a five-wicket haul, fifer or five-for) is considered a notable achievement for a bowler.[143] Muralitharan is well ahead of other bowlers by number of five-wicket hauls in Tests with 67 to his name; Australian cricketer Shane Warne ranks in second place with only 37, 30 below Murali. Which shows the class of Murali in bowling compared to Warne.[144]

More information Rank, Five-wicket hauls ...
Rank Five-wicket hauls Player Innings Balls Wickets Period
1 67 Muttiah Muralitharan22843,7157951992–2010
2 34 Rangana Herath17025,9934331999–2018
3 12 Chaminda Vaas19423,4383551994–2009
4 11 Prabath Jayasuriya376,5271162022–2025
5 8 Dilruwan Perera7810,8051612014–2021
Last updated: 9 February 2025[145]
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Most ten-wickets in a match

Muralitharan has taken ten or more wickets in a match on more occasions than any other bowler in Test cricket. He has performed this feat 22 times, more than double the number of the bowler ranking second—Shane Warne, who has achieved this on 10 occasions.[146]

More information Rank, Ten-wicket hauls ...
Rank Ten-wicket hauls Player Matches Balls Wickets Period
1 22 Muttiah Muralitharan13243,7157951992–2010
2 9 Rangana Herath9325,9934331999–2018
3 2 Prabath Jayasuriya206,5271162022–2025
Dilruwan Perera4310,8051612014–2021
Chaminda Vaas11123,4383551994–2009
Last updated: 9 February 2025[147]
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Worst figures in an innings

More information Rank, Figures ...
Rank Figures Player Overs Opposition Venue Date
1 0/164 Lahiru Kumara25 New ZealandBasin Reserve, Wellington, New Zealand17 March 2023
2 0/144 Kasun Rajitha 34 15 December 2018
3 0/141 Asoka de Silva5631 January 1991
4 0/139 Ramesh Mendis36 PakistanSinghalese Sports Club Cricket Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka24 July 2023
5 0/137 Muttiah Muralitharan46 IndiaVidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur, India26 November 1997
Last updated: 23 September 2024[148]
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Worst figures in a match

More information Rank, Figures ...
Rank Figures Player Overs Opposition Venue Date
1 0/164 Dilruwan Perera47 AustraliaManuka Oval, Canberra, Australia1 February 2019
Lahiru Kumara25 New ZealandBasin Reserve, Wellington, New Zealand17 March 2023
3 0/155 Praveen Jayawickrama51 BangladeshSher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka, Bangladesh23 May 2022
4 0/154 Chaminda Vaas40 AustraliaCazaly's Stadium, Cairns, Australia9 July 2004
5 0/151 Nuwan Pradeep32 PakistanSinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka30 June 2012
Last updated:23 September 2024[149]
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Most wickets in a series

Hat-trick

In cricket, a hat-trick occurs when a bowler takes three wickets with consecutive deliveries. The deliveries may be interrupted by an over bowled by another bowler from the other end of the pitch or the other team's innings, but must be three consecutive deliveries by the individual bowler in the same match. Only wickets attributed to the bowler count towards a hat-trick; run outs do not count.

More information No., Bowler ...
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Wicket-keeping records

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Former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara has assisted in the highest number of dismissals as wicketkeeper.

A wicketkeeper can assist in the dismissal of a batsman by taking a catch or stumping.[153] A catch taken by the wicketkeeper means the batsman will be ruled out caught, although it may be referred to as "caught behind". A stumping occurs when the wicketkeeper catches a ball delivered by the bowler (provided it is a legal delivery) and putting down the batsman's wicket while he is out of his ground.[154]

Most dismissals

More information Rank, Dismissals ...
RankDismissalsPlayerMatchesInningsCatchesStumpingDis/InnPeriod
1 160 Niroshan Dickwella5496133271.6662014–2023
2 156 Prasanna Jayawardene58102124321.5292000–2015
3 151 Kumar Sangakkara13490131201.6772000–2015
4 119 Romesh Kaluwitharana498593261.4001992–2004
5 81 Dinesh Chandimal885471101.4902011–2025
Last updated: 23 September 2024[155]
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Most catches

More information Rank, Catches ...
RankCatchesPlayerMatchesInningsPeriod
1 133 Niroshan Dickwella54962014–2023
2 131 Kumar Sangakkara134902000–2015
3 124 Prasanna Jayawardene581022000–2015
4 93 Romesh Kaluwitharana49851992–2004
5 71 Dinesh Chandimal88542011–2025
Last updated: 23 September 2024[155]
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Most stumpings

More information Rank, Stumpings ...
RankStumpingsPlayerMatches InningsPeriod
1 32 Prasanna Jayawardene58 1022000–2015
2 27 Niroshan Dickwella54 962014–2022
3 26 Romesh Kaluwitharana49 851992–2004
4 20 Kumar Sangakkara134 902000–2015
5 10 Dinesh Chandimal88 542011–2025
Last updated: 23 September 2024[155]
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Most dismissals in an innings

More information Rank, Dismissals ...
Rank Dismissals Player Opposition Venue Date
1 6 Amal Silva  India Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka 30 August 1985
Dinesh Chandimal  Pakistan Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka 25 June 2015
Last updated: 23 September 2024[156]
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Most dismissals in a match

More information Rank, Dismissals ...
Rank Dismissals Player Opposition Venue Date
1 9 Amal Silva IndiaSinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka30 August 1985
Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka6 September 1985
Prasanna Jayawardene PakistanDubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, UAE8 January 2014
4 8 Dinesh ChandimalPaikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka25 June 2015
5 7 Hashan Tillakaratne New ZealandSeddon Park, Hamilton, New Zealand22 February 1991
Chamara DunusingheMcLean Park, Napier, New Zealand11 March 1995
Prasanna Jayawardene BangladeshZohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong, Bangladesh3 January 2009
 PakistanSharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, UAE16 January 2014
Niroshan DickwellaSinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka14 August 2014
 West IndiesSir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda29 March 2021
Dinesh Chandimal South AfricaNewlands, Cape Town, South Africa2 January 2017
Niroshan Dickwella West IndiesSir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua, Antigua & Barboda29 March 2021
Last updated: 23 September 2024[157]
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Most dismissals in a series

Fielding records

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Most catches in a career

A "catch" occurs when a ball hit by the batsman in the air is held by a fielder within the field of play, before it hits the ground. In such a case, the batsman is ruled out caught.[159]

More information Rank, Catches ...
RankCatchesPlayerMatchesInningsCt/InnPeriod
1 205 Mahela Jayawardene1492700.7591997–2014
2 89 Hashan Tillakaratne831230.7231989–2004
4 84 Dananjaya de Silva 631130.7432016–2025
3 83 Kusal Mendis711140.7282015–2025
5 78 Sanath Jayasuriya1101960.3971991–2007
Last updated: 8 February 2025[160]
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Most catches in a series

All-round Records

1000 runs and 100 wickets

A total of 71 players have achieved the double of 1000 runs and 100 wickets in their Test career.[162]

More information Rank, Player ...
Rank Player Average Difference Period Matches Runs Bat Avg Wickets Bowl Avg
1 Chaminda Vaas −5.25 1994-2009111308924.3235529.58
2 Muttiah Muralitharan −10.79 1992-2010132125911.8779522.67
3 Rangana Herath −13.42 1999-201893169914.6443328.07
4 Dilruwan Perera −17.01 2014-202143130318.8816135.90
Last updated: 23 September 2024[163]
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Other records

Most career matches

More information Rank, Matches ...
RankMatchesPlayerRunsWktsPeriod
1 149 Mahela Jayawardene11,81461997–2014
2 134 Kumar Sangakkara12,40002000–2015
3 132 Muttiah Muralitharan1,2597951992–2010
4 118 Angelo Mathews7,966332009–present
5 111 Chaminda Vaas3,0893551994–2009
Last updated: 6 February 2025[164]
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Most consecutive career matches

More information Rank, Matches ...
RankMatchesPlayerPeriod
1 93 Mahela Jayawardene2002–2013
2 53 Marvan Atapattu1997–2002
Last updated: 23 September 2024[165]
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Most matches played as captain

More information Rank, Matches ...
RankMatchesPlayerWonLostTiedDraw%W%LPeriod
1 56 Arjuna Ranatunga121902521.4233.921989–1999
2 38 Sanath Jayasuriya1812847.3631.571999–2002
Mahela Jayawardene2006–2009
4 34 Angelo Mathews1315638.2344.112013–2017
5 30 Dimuth Karunaratne121240.0040.002019–2023
Last updated: 23 September 2024[166]
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Most man of the match awards

More information Rank, M.O.M. Awards ...
Rank M.O.M. Awards Player Matches Period
1 19 Muttiah Muralitharan 132 1992–2010
2 16 Kumar Sangakkara 134 2000–2015
3 13 Mahela Jayawardene 1491997–2014
4 11 Aravinda de Silva 93 1984–2002
Rangana Herath 1999–2018
Last updated: 23 September 2024[167]
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Most man of the series awards

More information Rank, M.O.S. Awards ...
Rank M.O.S. Awards Player Matches Period
1 11 Muttiah Muralitharan 132 1992–2010
2 5 Rangana Herath 93 1999–2018
3 4 Dimuth Karunaratne 842012–2023
Aravinda de Silva 93 1984–2002
Angelo Mathews 102 2009–2023
Kumar Sangakkara 134 2000–2015
Last updated: 23 September 2024[168]
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Youngest players on Debut

More information Rank, Age ...
Rank Age Player Opposition Venue Date
1 17 years and 189 days Sanjeewa Weerasinghe IndiaPaikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka6 September 1985
2 18 years and 78 days Arjuna Ranatunga England17 February 1982
3 18 years and 81 days Roshan Jurangpathy IndiaAsgiriya Stadium, Kandy, Sri Lanka14 September 1985
4 18 years and 147 days Malinga Bandara New ZealandR Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka27 May 1998
5 18 years and 298 days Nuwan ZoysaCarisbrook, Dunedin, New Zealand7 March 1997
Last updated: 23 September 2024[169][170]
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Oldest players on debut

More information Rank, Age ...
Rank Age Player Opposition Venue Date
1 39 years and 251 days Somachandra de Silva EnglandPaikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka17 February 1982
2 32 years and 237 days Lalith Kaluperuma
3 31 years and 330 days Mahela Udawatte West IndiesDarren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, Saint Lucia14 June 2018
4 31 years and 266 days Mithra Wettimuny New ZealandLancaster Park, Christchurch, New Zealand4 March 1983
5 31 years and 236 days Sridharan Jeganathan
Last updated: 23 September 2024[171][172]
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Oldest players

More information Rank, Age ...
Rank Age Player Opposition Venue Date
1 42 years and 73 days Somachandra de Silva EnglandLord's, London, England23 August 1984
2 40 years and 232 days Rangana HerathGalle International Stadium, Galle, Sri Lanka6 November 2018
3 38 years and 184 days Dilruwan Perera22 January 2021
4 38 years and 154 days Sanath JayasuriyaAsgiriya Stadium, Kandy, Sri Lanka1 December 2007
5 38 years and 92 days Muttiah Muralitharan IndiaGalle International Stadium, Galle, Sri Lanka18 July 2008
Last updated: 23 September 2024[173][174]
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Partnership records

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Highest wicket partnerships

Sri Lanka holds the highest partnerships in Test cricket for any wicket and, with the records for the second, and third wickets.[175]

More information Wicket, Runs ...
Wicket Runs 1st batsman 2nd batsman Opposition Venue Date
1st wicket335Sanath JayasuriyaMarvan Atapattu PakistanAsgiriya Stadium, Kandy28 June 2000
2nd wicket ♠576Roshan Mahanama IndiaR. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo2 August 1997
3rd wicket ♠624Kumar SangakkaraMahela Jayawardene South AfricaSSC Ground, Colombo27 July 2006
4th wicket437Thilan Samaraweera PakistanNational Stadium, Karachi21 February 2009
5th wicket280Tillakaratne Dilshan BangladeshP Sara Oval, Colombo20 September 2005
6th wicket351Mahela JayawardenePrasanna Jayawardene IndiaSardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad16 November 2009
7th wicket223*Chaminda Vaas BangladeshSSC Ground, Colombo25 June 2007
8th wicket170Mahela Jayawardene South AfricaGalle International Stadium, Galle4 August 2004
9th wicket124Dhananjaya de SilvaLasith Embuldeniya West Indies29 November 2021
10th wicket79Chaminda VaasMuttiah Muralitharan AustraliaAsgiriya Stadium, Kandy16 March 2004
Last updated: 23 September 2024[176]
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Highest partnerships

The world record partnership between Jayawardene and Sangakkara for 624 runs, and the partnership between Jayasuriya and Mahanama for 576 runs (which was the previous world record, and is now the second-highest partnership in Tests) are the only Test partnerships to surpass 500 runs.[177][178]

More information Runs, Wicket ...
Runs Wicket 1st batsman 2nd batsman Opposition Venue Date
624 ♠3rd wicketKumar SangakkaraMahela Jayawardene South AfricaSSC Ground, Colombo27 July 2006
576 ♠2nd wicketSanath JayasuriyaRoshan Mahanama IndiaR. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo2 August 1997
438Marvan AtapattuKumar Sangakkara ZimbabweQueens Sports Club, Bulawayo14 May 2004
4374th wicketMahela JayawardeneThilan Samaraweera PakistanNational Stadium, Karachi21 February 2009
3516th wicketPrasanna Jayawardene IndiaSardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad16 November 2009
Last updated: 23 September 2024[179]
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Highest overall partnership runs by a pair

More information Rank, Runs ...
Rank Runs Innings Players Highest Average 100/50 T20I career span
1 6,554 120Mahela Jayawardene & Kumar Sangakkara62456.519/272000–2014
2 4,533 122Marvan Atapattu & Sanath Jayasuriya33539.419/242004–2012
3 3,247 55Mahela Jayawardene & Thilan Samaraweera43761.2611/92003–2013
4 3,132 74Dinesh Chandimal & Angelo Mathews23246.058/142012–2024
5 2,812 57Aravinda de Silva & Arjuna Ranatunga189*53.0511/111985–2000
An asterisk (*) signifies an unbroken partnership (i.e. neither of the batsmen was dismissed before either the end of the allotted overs or the required score being reached). Last updated: 9 December 2024[180]
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Umpiring records

More information Rank, Matches ...
Rank Matches Umpire Period
1 87 Kumar Dharmasena 2010–2024
2 49 Asoka de Silva 2000–2011
3 25 K. T. Francis 1982–1999
4 21 B. C. Cooray 1992–2001
5 11 Peter Manuel 1993–2001
Last updated: 1 December 2024[181]
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See also

Notes

    References

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