Flashback: How Sri Lanka’s legends have fared in their farewell Tests

Tags: Sri Lanka, Pinnaduwage Aravinda de Silva, Arjuna Ranatunga, Sanath Teran Jayasuriya, Muttiah Muralitharan, Warnakulasuriya Patabendige Ushantha Joseph Chaminda Vaas

Published on: Aug 16, 2014

Sri Lankan great Mahela Jayawarende is playing in his final Test at his favourite SSC in Colombo. He made only 4 in the first innings, but he still has one innings to make a stirring impact in his farewell Test.

Sri Lankan great Mahela Jayawarende is playing in his final Test at his favourite SSC in Colombo. He made only 4 in the first innings, but he still has one innings to make a stirring impact in his farewell Test. Here’s a look at how some other Sri Lankan legends have fared in their respective farewell Tests.


Aravind de Silva: His final Test was against Bangladesh at Colombo in 2002. The Lankan legend made a scintillating exit with 206 off 234 balls with the help of 28 fours and 1 six. He batted for 318 minutes before being dismissed leg before by Enamul Haque. Sri Lanka went on to win the Test by an innings and 196 runs.


Arjuna Ranatunga: The former Sri Lankan skipper played his last Test against South Africa at the SSC in 2000. Ranatunga was bowled by Nicky Boje for 14 in the first innings. He faced 52 balls, and hit two fours before being dismissed. He got a chance to bat a second time round as Sri Lanka were made to chase 263. Ranatunga remained unbeaten on 28 having faced 42 balls and struck six fours. He occupied the crease for 64 minutes, and Sri Lanka finished on 195 for as the Test was drawn.


Sanath Jayasuriya: The former left-hander played his final Test against England at Kandy in 2007. Jayasuriya managed only 10 in the first innings. He faced 12 balls, and hit two fours before being dismissed by Sidebottom caught by Pietersen. In the second innings, however, Jayasuriya lived up to the hype. He made a fluent 78 from 106 balls with 10 fours and 1 six before being trapped leg before by Matthew Hoggard for 78. Lanka went on to win the Test by 88 runs.


Muttiah Muralitharan: The maverick former Lankan spinner finished his career on a perfect high. He played his final Test against India at Galle in 2010. Muralitharan claimed 5 for 63 in the first innings from 17 overs – His dismissals included those of Tendulkar, Yuvraj and Dhoni. India were made to follow-on and, in the second innings, Murali again claimed three wickets, this time bowling 44.4 overs and conceding 128 runs. His wickets included Yuvraj, Harbhajan and last man Ojha, the final dismissal giving him his 800th Test wicket. Lanka won the Test by 10 wickets.


Chaminda Vaas: Theformer left-arm seamer from Sri Lanka played his last Test against Pakistan at the SSC, Colombo in 2009. Vaas picked up 1 for 43 from 20 overs in the first innings, dismissing opener Khurram Manzoor, who made 93. Vaas went wicketless in the second innings, sending down 19 overs and giving away 47 runs. He failed with the bat during the one innings he played in the Test. Vaas made 4 from 15 balls before being dismissed lbw by leggie Danish Kaneria.


--By A Cricket Analyst

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