On the final day of the second Test in Galle on Friday, Sri Lankan spinner Prabath Jayasuriya claimed his 50th Test wicket by dismissing Ireland’s Paul Stirling, shattering a record that had stood for 71 years. Alf Valentine of the West Indies lost his record as the spinner to reach the 50-wicket milestone in the fewest number of matches when Jayasuriya reached the milestone in his seventh Test.
Jayasuriya, 31, has become a sensation since breaking into the Test format. In July 2022, he played against Australia and ended with the fourth-best debut match statistics (12/177).
Another day, another five-wicket haul for Prabath Jayasuriya 👏 #SLvIRE | 📝: https://t.co/UVULsajcev pic.twitter.com/PtZq424Zva
— ICC (@ICC) April 25, 2023
Six different times, including 5/174 in Ireland’s opening innings of the second Test at Galle, Jayasuriya has taken five wickets in an innings. For the third time in a game, he just needs a five-wicket haul in the second innings to reach 10 wickets.
A record-breaking wicket for Prabath Jayasuriya 🔥
Read more ➡️ https://t.co/GjYbogNQNo#SLvIRE pic.twitter.com/UGuCbR9JHQ
— ICC (@ICC) April 28, 2023
Prior to Jayasuriya, Valentine held the record; after making his debut in 1950, he had a significant impact right away. With 33 wickets in four Test matches, he led the way as West Indies became the first team ever to win a Test series in England.
During the fourth Test of the West Indies’ 1951–1952 tour of Australia, the left-arm orthodox spinner recorded his 50th wicket. He created a record that stood for more than 71 years by accomplishing the feat in his ninth match.
The Sri Lankan spinner may now pursue the record for taking 100 wickets in the fewest number of games.
