SL vs IRE: Prabath Jayasuriya breaks 71-year-old Test record

Prabath Jayasuriya. (Photo Source: Sri Lanka Cricket/Twitter)

Spin wizard Prabath Jayasuriya scripted history by clinching 50 wickets in just seven Test matches. He now claims the record for reaching the mark in fewer matches than any other spinner in the last 71 years in red-ball cricket. Notably, in the match against Ireland, the 31-year-old dismissed veteran Irish opener Paul Stirling to claim his 50th Test wicket on the final day of the second Test in Galle.

Former West Indies spinner Alf Valentine previously held the record before Jayasuriya stamped his authority. He now shares the rank with South Africa pacer Vernon Philander and former England international Tom Richardson. On the other hand, former Australia international Charlie Turner still holds the record of being the fastest bowler to pick 50 wickets, as he did it in just six matches. Notably, he set this record in 1888, and even after 135 years, no one has managed to break it.

Sri Lanka need five wickets to win Galle Test

Courtesy of terrific double centuries from Nishan Madushka (205) and Kusal Mendis (245), Sri Lanka posted 704 runs in the second innings of the match against Ireland. With that, the home team took a massive lead of 212 runs in the middle. Now, in order to save the match, Ireland needed to take things slow, but unfortunately, have lost five wickets of James McCollum, Peter Moor, Paul Stirling, Lorcan Tucker and Curtis Campher. Thus, things are not looking good for the visiting team on Day 5.

They now need a solid partnership from two of their biggest names in modern cricket. Harry Tector and Andrew Balbirnie have got all the abilities to help Ireland save the match, while Sri Lanka need five more wickets to win the second Test.