Asanka Gurusinha was one of the best Sri Lankan batters in the 1990s. In the middle order, he played a key role and helped Sri Lanka in stabilizing the innings more often than not. Asanka had a simple technique which worked well for him in most parts. He was regarded as a good player of spin. But even on seaming wickets, he was able to score runs.
Some of the best knocks in Asanka’s careers have come in Australia, New Zealand, and Pakistan. He played in a side that was not known to be strong. Asanka was a part of Sri Lanka that made their country proud by putting their team on the world map by winning the ODI World Cup 1996. In the longest format of the game, he played some quality innings.
Here are the three best Test innings of Gurusinha.
3. 127 vs New Zealand in Dunedin, 1995
It was a good knock from the Sri Lankan. It was the second Test of the series between SL and New Zealand in Dunedin. Batting first, the visiting side managed a score of just 233 runs. In reply to it, the home side posted a total of 307 runs. With the progression of the match, the wicket got better to bat on. Asanka made the most of it and played a fine knock.
In the second innings, the opener played a marathon knock. In his stay in the middle, Gurusinha scored 127 runs in 429 balls which included 11 fours and a six. Sri Lanka played for a draw and got the result they wanted. He batted well against a decent bowling lineup. In the first innings, Asanka scored 28 runs. His batting helped SL to salvage a draw.
2. 137 vs Australia in Colombo, 1992
It was the first Test of the series between Sri Lanka and Australia. The visiting side managed to post just 256 runs in their first innings. In reply to it, the home side came with a massive total of 547/8 before declaring their innings. Gurusinha was the star of the innings and scored 137 runs in 399 balls. His knock came at a SR of 34.34 and included 18 boundaries.
Unfortunately, there was a massive turn of events in the match. Despite gaining a mammoth lead of 291 runs, SL crumbled in their own backyard. Australia posted 471 runs in the second innings on the back of a great collective batting performance. SL succumbed to pressure and lost the Test by 16 runs. Asanka scored 31(88) in the second innings.
1. 143 vs Australia in Melbourne, 1995
It was the Boxing Day Test between Australia and SL in 1995. Having lost the first Test, SL was under a bit of pressure to win the second Test. Batting first, the home side posted a great total of 500/6 before declaring their innings. David Boon and Steve Waugh notched up hundreds for Australia. In reply to it, SL posted just 233 runs.
Asanka scored 27(85) from his end. SL was against the momentum and were asked the follow-on. They posted 307 runs in their second innings. Asanka was the star of the innings who registered his career-best Test score. The star batter scored 143 runs in 274 balls. However, it was not enough for SL to win the match. Australia chased 41 with relative ease.