Mahela Jayawardene has been one of the biggest assets for Sri Lanka over the years. In the list of highest run scorers for Sri Lanka, Mahela has Surpassed Jayasuria, and he is currently tied with Sanga at 11493. He has time and again made Sri Lanka proud.
A classy batsman; a master of the late cut, he will play his last test match in August against Pakistan.
Let’s take a look at the 5 most memorable incidents of which Jayawardene’s career:
1. The mammoth partnership with Sanga, 2006:
Jayawardene and Sangakkara put on a record 624 third wicket run partnership which is also the highest for partnership for any wicket in a test match against South Africa. Jayawardene applied himself brilliantly in the middle without giving the opponent even the slightest chance of a wicket. Jayawardene went on to score his career best 374 against some exceptional South Afrcian bowling. It surely was pure joy to watch that innings by Jayawardene and will be remembered for a long long time.
2. The long hour wait at Lord’s:
It is always special for a batsman to score a century at Lord’s, but on that day 11th May 2006, Jayawardene was only batting to draw the test. He stood at the crease for 6 hours to make 119 and save the test. He got to his 100 in what was an incredible display of determination. His elegant stroke play and the desire to not throw his wicket away is what made him special.
3. The 352 run chase:
Soon after he scored 374, Jayawardene continued his brilliant display of strokes and elegance with a magnificent 123 against the Proteas to seal the deal for Sri Lanka who chased down a huge target of 352. Jayawardene was awarded Man of the Match.
4. First double hundred:
Jayawardene made his test debut against India in 1997. Two years later, he scored his first ever double hundred against the same opposition. Though the match ended in a draw, people got to know what this man is capable of. His 242 run knock not only earned him the Man of the Match award, it also sealed his position in the test team at a time when he was trying to get a permanent place. The questions of whether he belongs in the team were put into mud.
5. 167 vs South Africa, 2000:
Jayasuriya had departed after a hard hitting 148 and in came Jayawardene. He played a glorious innings of 167 proving to everyone that he is a technically sound batsman. He put on a 117 run partnership with Vaas for the eighth wicket. It was a typical Jayawardene innings with classy strokes. Sri Lanka even crossed the 500 run mark with the help of his exceptional effort.
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by Archit Athani
