10 Amazing Moments in Mahela Jayawardene's Test Career
One of Sri Lanka’s greatest ever batsmen, Mahela Jayawardene will also go down in history as one of the world’s best, especially in the modern era of cricket history.
Throughout his 149 Tests for Sri Lanka, Jayawardene enjoyed some very memorable moments, even in his later years, as he did not let his age catch up with him.
On the right-hander’s birthday, let’s take a look at 10 amazing moments in Jayawardene’s career.
1. Debut vs. India (August 2, 1997)
It may not have been the most amazing start to his Test career, but it was definitely a start—Jayawardene made his debut against India in Colombo in 1997.
He scored 66 in his only innings in a game that saw 1,489 runs scored between the two sides, as they played out a draw on a featherbed pitch.
2. First Test Century vs. New Zealand (June 3, 1998)
In just his fourth Test, Jayawardene reached three figures for the first time against New Zealand in Galle.
Batting at three, he scored 167 as Sri Lanka won by an innings and 16 runs—a knock for which he picked up the Man of the Match award.
3. First Test as Captain vs. Bangladesh (February 28, 2006)
Jayawardene was appointed captain ahead of Sri Lanka’s series against Bangladesh in 2006 and took the field as leader for the first time in the first Test in Chittagong.
He had a quiet game with the bat but must have led well, as he helped the Sri Lankans take victory by eight wickets.
4. 242 vs. India (February 24, 1999)
Jayawardene hit his first double century against India in 1999 in Colombo, when he hit 242 to help Sri Lanka draw the game.
On a typically docile pitch, India reached 518. In reply, Jayawardene’s 242 got the hosts close to parity, although there was too little time for either side to force a victory.
5. 237 vs. South Africa (August 4, 2004)
Another double century followed in Galle for Jayawardene, this time against South Africa in 2004 in yet another drawn game.
His 237 helped the Sri Lankans mount 486 in their first innings, and while the Proteas looked to chase down a total of 325 to win, they fell short and had to settle for a draw.
6. 213* vs. England (December 18, 2007)
Jayawardene clearly enjoyed batting in Galle, as it was the venue of yet another Test double century against England in 2007.
The hosts once again batted first and were indebted to Jayawardene’s 213 not out as they reached 499 for eight, although they could not force a win despite an England batting collapse.
7. 240 vs. Pakistan (February 21, 2009)
In partnership with Thilan Samaraweera, Jayawardene made 240 against Pakistan in February 2009 in another drawn game, this time in Karachi.
The pair both made double-centuries in a game dominated by the bat, with Younis Khan making a triple-century of his own for the home side.
8. 275 vs. India (November 16, 2009)
Later that same year, Jayawardene was at it again, as he hit 275 against India in Ahmedabad.
The home side put up a decent total of 426 batting first, but Jayawardene’s knock, coupled with centuries from Tillakaratne Dilshan and Prasanna Jayawardene, helped the visitors to 760 and a draw.
9. 203* vs. Bangladesh (January 27, 2014)
Jayawardene’s last double century came just last year away to Bangladesh, and it helped Sri Lanka win the game by an innings and 248 runs.
He hit an unbeaten 203 in the first innings to help Sri Lanka take a big lead, which their hosts got nowhere near overhauling.
10. 374 vs. South Africa (July 27, 2006)
Finally comes Jayawardene’s biggest innings of all—374 against South Africa in 2006 in Colombo.
The away side made just 169, to which the hosts responded with 756, led by Jayawardene’s knock and 287 from Kumar Sangakkara, which helped them to an innings victory.