Sri Lanka’s Debutant Breaks Indian Cricketer’s 41-Yr-Old Record In Tests

Sri Lanka debutant Milan Rathnayake broke a 41-year-old Test record by hitting the highest score by a batter at the number 9 spot in men’s Test cricket.

The 28-year-old broke India’s Balwinder Sandhu’s record of 71 against Pakistan in Hyderabad in 1983.

Milan achieved this historic feat on the opening day of the first Test between Sri Lanka and England in Manchester. On his Test debut, Rathnayake came out to bat at number nine when Sri Lanka was reduced to 113/7. Rathnayake remained cool and scored up 72 off 135 deliveries, which propelled Sri Lanka to 236 before the opening day of the series opener concluded.

Rathnayake and Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva had a 63-run partnership for the 8th wicket.

Rathnayake’s valiant innings came to an end by young spinner Shoaib Bashir. Sri Lanka folded on 236. England ended the day with a score of 22/0.