Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya has fallen three scalps short of achieving the world record of being the joint-fastest to 100 Test wickets following Sri Lanka’s one-sided win over New Zealand in the second Test at Galle.
Sri Lanka thrashed New Zealand by an innings and 154 runs to sweep the Test series 2-0. After batting first, the home side racked up 602-5 before declaring the first innings. Kamindu Mendis, who was promoted up the order in the series after an incredible start to his Test career, starred with a 250-ball 182 not out.
Prabath Jayasuriya backed the hosts’ dominating batting performance with a 6-42, skittling out New Zealand to their lowest ever score against Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s 2-0 win over New Zealand boosted them closer to second-placed Australia in the WTC standings.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) September 29, 2024
What Sri Lanka need to make the WTC 2025 final?
Read here ➡️ https://t.co/Nn9WwImPqo pic.twitter.com/8mUwwwavJC
Jayasuriya misses the world record by a whisker
Jayasuriya, playing his 16th Test, was touching distance from the world record of becoming the joint-fastest to 100 Test wickets alongside George Lohmann. He needed another six-wicket haul in the second innings to do.
However, he could only manage three as debutant Nishan Peiris finished with 6-170 in Sri Lanka's stunning victory.
Lohmann, who debuted for England in 1886, took 16 Tests to pick up his 100 Test wickets. Jayasuriya got 3-139, as a result of which he missed the world record by three wickets.
Since Lohmann, the quickest to the landmark have been Charlie Turner, Sydney Barnes, Clarrie Grimmett and Yasir Shah, all of whom have achieved the feat in their 17th Test. Among them, Yasir is the only one to have done it in the 21st century.
When Sri Lanka take on South Africa in a two-match Test series at home, Jayasuriya, having missed the global record, will be realistically in with a chance to get to 100 Test wickets in his 17th Test. That would put him joint-second on the list, equalling Yasir’s Asian record.
Jayasuriya has been the highest wicket-taker in Tests since his debut, averaging 28.42 for his 97 wickets. He has also taken nine five-fors, more than any other bowler over this period.
Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.
