Sri Lanka debutant creates history with stunning Manchester knock

22 August 2024 11:04 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 8 Bookmark

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A magnificent half-century from Milan Rathnayake helped the debutant break a 41-year Test record.

Sri Lanka all-rounder Milan Rathnayake registered the highest score by a No.9 on Test debut as Sri Lanka fought hard on the opening day of the first Test against England at Old Trafford.

Rathnayake came into bat with Sri Lanka precariously placed at 113/7, before contributing a composed 72 from 135 balls that helped the island nation post a competitive total of 236 in the opening Test of the three-game series.

The innings by Rathnayake was the best by any batter at No.9 on Test debut, surpassing the previous highest of 71 by India's Balwinder Sandhu against Pakistan in Hyderabad in 1983.

Rathnayake combined with skipper Dhananjaya de Silva (74) to put on 63 for the eighth wicket for Sri Lanka after England quicks Chris Woakes (3/32) and Gus Atkinson (2/48) had ripped through the visitors' top-order.

Spinner Shoaib Bashir (3/55) chipped in with a trio of wickets to help dismiss Sri Lanka late in the day, with England reaching 22 without loss at stumps on day one as they look to stay in contention for next year's ICC World Test Championship final.

England's recent 3-0 series whitewash over the West Indies lifted them up to seventh on the current World Test Championship standings and they will be looking for a similar result against Sri Lanka to further strengthen their credentials. (ICC)

Comments - 8

Man Thursday, 22 August 2024 12:03 PM

Well done debutant and expect him to trouble England batsmen with his bounce or uneven bounce, as it is there. SL wasted the new ball by balling 4 overs, last evening without enforcing bad light to think of drawing it unless in a sound position to beat.

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Man Friday, 23 August 2024 10:28 AM

Great Kumar Sangakkara also had my view for not taking the advantage of the pitch along with two other persons in their comments of the espncricinfo.com., commentary.

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Inshi Thursday, 22 August 2024 12:26 PM

What a difference it makes to the team when someone plays responsibly. Credit to the captain for continuously giving words of encouragement and advise. Good luck with the rest of the matches.

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Ram P Thursday, 22 August 2024 12:47 PM

Debutant Ratnayaka's knock appear to be a record in the Cricket World. Congratulations young man, keep up the good work and show your prowess with the ball

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Karalasingam Sivalingam Thursday, 22 August 2024 01:37 PM

Congratulations, Sri Lanka has talented players, the selection board should recognise merit and performance beyond, political, racial divide.

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Lakshman maddumahewa Thursday, 22 August 2024 02:19 PM

His continue delay of retirement all formet cricket AM caused impediment for new talented players.

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Cherath Thursday, 22 August 2024 03:10 PM

Well done Milan Rathnayake! If not for you and the captain's knock SL would be in much worse position than 236 all out. It's possible Dhananjaya quickly realised his humongous error of judgement by deciding to bat on a lively yet unpredictable green pitch on the 1st morning of the first match, with cloud cover and humidity, when the first 3 wickets fell for 6. Although he compensated this somewhat with 74. Big mistake!

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Jude Friday, 23 August 2024 08:30 PM

Had it was a century it would've been a brilliant knock. Nevertheless, it was a great knock by debutant number 9 batter. Seldom we see a batter with such a poise @ # 9 on debut.

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