![opoyicentral](https://opoyi.com/wp-content/themes/opoyitheme/images/opoyi_6k77dlSYd.jpg)
The Matale Mauler: Prabath Jayasuriya registers fourth-best match figures for a debutant
- Prabath Jayasuriya's 12/177 downed Australia by an innings and 39 runs
- It is the best debut figures for a Sri Lankan bowler
- The 30-year-old also registers the fourth-best match figures for a debutant
Prabath Jayasuriya spun a web around Australian batters over two innings of controlled left-arm spin as Sri Lanka levelled the two-match test series one apiece. Handed a debut after a slew of Covid cases ruled out pacer Asitha Fernando and spin bowling pair Jeffrey Vandersay and Praveen Jayawickrama, the 30-year-old grabbed his chance thrillingly. In the first innings, his languid spell of 6/118 helped keep the visitors’ score to a manageable 364. With scalps Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon, he was the pick of the lot.
Also Read: Who is Prabath Jayasuriya?
Sri Lanka piled on the runs in response. Helmed by a many-faced double century by Dinesh Chandimal, with handy contributions from their top-order, the islanders had a 190-run lead to boot. On a rapidly fraying Galle pitch- further bedevilled by Pat Cummins and Starc’s footmarks- Jayasuriya was unplayable almost. Settling into a rhythm, he soon began to seed doubts in the visiting batters. It wouldn’t be long before he ran through the Australian batting spine. Snaring the in-form Usman Khawaja before dismissing first-inning centurions, Steve Smith (for a duck) and Labuschagne-both caught plumb in front- the Jayasuriya juggernaut rolled on.
Also Read: Watch: Galle International Stadium roof damaged by heavy rains and storm
He would add three more to his tally, removing Green and Starc in the same over, before closing out the Australia innings by knocking over Mitchell Swepson’s stumps. With six-fers in both innings, the Matale Mauler did with the ball what the more illustrious Matara Mauler- Sanath Jayasuriya- would do with the bat. His match figures of 12/177 are the fourth-best for a debutant and the best for a Sri Lankan on debut.
Safely ensconced within the top five for debut match figures in test cricket, we list the other four names that make up this motley group:
1. Narendra Hirwani (India): 16/136 vs West Indies, Chennai 1988.
2. Bob Massie (Australia): 16/137 vs England, Lord’s 1972.
3. Fred Martin (England): 12/102 vs Australia, The Oval 1890.
5. Jason Krejza (Australia): 12/358 vs India, Nagpur 2008.
Also Read: India docked two WTC points for slow over-rate, slip to fourth in list behind Pakistan
Impressive on debut, Jayasuriya will be keen on avoiding the fates experienced by those above and just below him on the list. Hirwani’s career tapered after a bright start. Dropped from his state XI- Western Australia- soon after his Lord’s mastery, Massie found more success as a radio commentator. Fred Martin curiously did not play beyond his two tests but could at least console himself with a bowling average of 10.07. Jason Krejza was cannon-fodder for Indian batters throughout the Nagpur test. He was among Australia’s spin-bowling musical chairs as the selectors sought Shane Warne’s replacement. They would eventually stumble on once-groundstaff Nathan Lyon.
Related Articles
ADVERTISEMENT